Orchidaceae. Native. Wetland margins, bogs. Throughout region. Napeague, Long Island, 2018. Thank you for visiting my gallery of New York’s wildflowers, a personal collection of photos I’ve taken in the field. I continually add photos, so check back for updates. You can also visit my Flickr pages where you can browse my album of New York Wildflowers .
I’ve been photographing the wild plants I observe in the field for over a decade with the intention of keeping a record of sightings. Hopefully, this gallery will help you to identify a plant, as well as to appreciate the diversity and beauty of our wildflowers. This gallery is not intended as a comprehensive guide to all the wild flora of New York. Please see my New York Wild Flora page for a list of print and digital resources and guides.
Wildflowers include flowering vines, shrubs and small trees, and grasses. Plants are arranged by habitat, and within each habitat, by color group, and within each color group, alphabetically by family. Colors can vary, so check a similar color group. Also, some plants may appear in more than one habitat. I give the common name followed by the Latin name, using the nomenclature in The Catalogue of Vascular Plants of New York by David Werier (The Torrey Botanical Society, 2017), which is updated on the New York Flora Association website, newyork.plantatlas.usf.edu . The Plant Atlas website is an excellent resource for identifying wild flora, but its photo database is limited. For an excellent image database, I go to the website of the New England Wildflower Society, https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org . Even though their focus excludes New York, it’s a very useful resource.
Using print and online guides, I make every effort to accurately identify the plants, but it can be a tricky business. Different species of plants can look similar, they can hybridize, and they can evolve local variants or even subspecies. I welcome any corrections from you botanists out there. Just email me. Thanks!
–Betsy McCully, updated September 2020
Wetlands: salt and fresh marshes, swamps, bogs, streams and ponds Blue, purple, lavender wetland wildflowers
New York Aster (Symphyotrichum nova-belgii). Asteraceae family.
New York Aster (Symphyotrichum nova-belgii). Asteraceae family.
Perennial Salt Marsh Aster (Symphyotrichum tenuifolium). Asteraceae family.
Salt Marsh Sand-spurry (Spergularia marina). Carophyllaceae family.
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor). Iridaceae family.
Blue Flag (Iris versicolor). Iridaceae family.
Slender Blue Flag (Iris prismatica). Iridaceae family.
Slender Blue Flag (Iris prismatica). Iridaceae family.
American Germander (Teucrium canadense). Lamiaceae family.
American Germander (Teucrium canadense). Lamiaceae family.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). Lythraceae family.
Water Willow (Decodon verticillatus). Also called Swamp Loosestrife. Lythraceae family.
Blue Marsh Violet (Viola cucullata). Violaceae family.
Pink wetland wildflowers
Saltwort (Salsola kali). Amaranthaceae family.
Saltwort (Salsola kali). Amaranthaceae family.
Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata). Asteraceae family.
Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata). Asteraceae.
Salt Marsh Sand-spurry (Spergularia marina). Carophyllaceae family.
Thread-leaf Sundew (Drosera filiformis). Droseraceae family.
Thread-leaf Sundew (Drosera filiformis). Droseraceae family.
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). Ericaceae family.
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon). Ericaceae family.
Pinkster (Rhododendron periclymenoides). Ericaceae family.
Sheep-laurel (Kalmia angustifolia). Ericaceae family.
Swamp Rose-mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos). Malvaceae.
Grass Pink (Calopogon tuberosus). Orchidaceae.
Grass Pink (Calopogon tuberosus). Orchidaceae.
Grass Pink (Calopogon tuberosus). Orchidaceae.
Rose Pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides). Orchidaceae family.
Rose Pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides). Orchidaceae family.
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). Rosaceae family.
Red, orange wetland wildflowers
Common Glasswort (Salicornia depressa). Amaranthaceae family.
Common Glasswort (Salicornia depressa). Amaranthaceae family.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). Aquifoliaceae family.
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata). Aquifoliaceae family.
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens canadensis). Balsaminaceae.
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens canadensis). Balsaminaceae.
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens canadensis). Balsaminaceae.
Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia). Droseraceae family.
Purple Pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea). Sarraceniaceae family.
Yellow wetland wildflowers
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens). Asteraceae family.
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens). Asteraceae family.
Yellow Thistle (Cirsium horridulum). Asteraceae family.
Yellow Thistle (Cirsium horridulum). Asteraceae family.
Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus). Iridaceae family.
Yellow Pond-lily (Nuphar variegata). Also called Bullhead Pond-lily. Nymphaeaceae family.
Yellow Pond-lily (Nuphar variegata).
Green, brown wetland wildflowers
Poison-sumac (Toxicodendron vernix). Anacardiaceae family.
Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum). Araceae family.
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus). Araceae family.
White wetland wildflowers
Common Elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Adoxaceae family.
Northern Wild Raisin (Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides). Adoxaceae family.
Boneset Thoroughwort (Eupatorium perfoliatum). Asteraceae family.
Groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia). Asteraceae family.
Groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia). Asteraceae family.
Groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia). Asteraceae family.
Coastal Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). Clethraceae family.
Coastal Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). Clethraceae family.
Swamp Azalea or Clammy Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum). Ericaceae family.
Swamp Azalea or Clammy Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum). Ericaceae family.
High-bush Blueberry (Vaccinium carymbosum). Ericaceae.
Bog-Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia var. latifolia?). Ericaceae.
White Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata). Nymphaeaceae family.
White Water-lily (Nymphaea odorata). Nymphaeaceae family.
Coastal Beaches and Dunes Blue, purple, lavender coastal wildflowers
Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus). Fabaceae family.
Beach pea (Lathyrus japonicus). Fabaceae family.
Beach plum (Prunus maritima). Rosaceae.
Pink coastal wildflowers
Saltwort (Salsola kali). Amaranthaceae family.
Sea-rocket (Cakile edentula). Brassicaceae family.
Trailing Fuzzy-bean (Strophostyles helvola). Also called Annual Woolly Bean. Fabaceae family.
Coastal Jointed Knotweed (Polygonum articulatum). Polygonaceae family.
Beach Rose (Rosa rugosa). Rosaceae family. Also called Wrinkled Rose referring to the leaves.
Rosa carolina. Rosaceae family.
Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana). Previously Rosa Carolina var. lucida. Rosaceae family.
Virginia Rose (Rosa virginiana). Previously Rosa Carolina var. lucida. Rosaceae family.
Beach plum (Prunus maritima). Rosaceae family.
Rough Buttonweed (Diodia teres). Rubiaceae family.
Red , orange coastal wildflowers
Red Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). Ericaceae family.
Beach Rose (Rosa rugosa). Rosaceae family. Also called Wrinkled Rose referring to leaves.
Yellow coastal wildflowers
Shaggy Golden-aster (Chrysopsis mariana). Asteraceae family. Also called Maryland Golden-aster.
Sickle-leaved Golden-aster (Pityopsis falcata; previously Chrysopsis falcata). Asteraceae family.
Sickle-leaved Golden-aster (Pityopsis falcata; previously Chrysopsis falcata). Asteraceae family.
Coastal Plain Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia caroliniana; previously E. tenuifolia). Asteraceae family.
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens). Asteraceae family.
Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens). Asteraceae family.
Flowering prickly-pear. Cactaceae family.
Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa). Cactaceae family.
Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa). Cactaceae family.
Prickly Pear (Opuntia humifusa). Cactaceae family.
False Heather (Hudsonia tomentosa). Cistaceae. Also known as Wooly Beach-heather.
Round-headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata). Fabaceae family.
Round-headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata). Fabaceae family.
Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria). Fabaceae family.
White coastal wildflowers
Fragrant Rabbit-tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium). Asteraceae family. Also known as Blunt-leaved Rabbit Tobacco and Fragrant Everlasting.
Fragrant Rabbit-tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium). Asteraceae family. Also known as Blunt-leaved Rabbit Tobacco and Fragrant Everlasting.
Pine Barrens Sandwort (Sabulina caroliniana; Minuartia caroliniana). Carophyllaceae family.
Pine Barrens Sandwort (Sabulina caroliniana; Minuartia caroliniana). Carophyllaceae family.
Beach Plum (Prunus maritima). Rosaceae family.
White form of Rosa virginiana. Rosaceae family.
Coastal Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis). Rosaceae family.
Brown, green coastal wildflowers
Saltwort (Salsola kali). Amaranthaceae family.
American beach grass (Ammophila brevilligulata). Poaceae family.
Grasslands Blue, purple , lavender grassland wildflowers
New England Blazing-star (Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae). Asteraceae family.
Common Thistle (Cirsium vulgare). Asteraceae family.
Blue Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis). Fabaceae family.
Coastal Plain Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium fuscatum). Iridaceae family.
Atlantic Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium atlanticum). Iridaceae family.
Slender Blue Iris (Iris prismatica). Iridaceae family.
Forked Blue Curls (Trichostema dichotomum). Lamiaceae family.
Sandplain Gerardia (Agalinis decemloba; previously Agalinis acuta). Also called Sandplain Agalinis. Orobanchaceae family.
Old Field Toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis). Plantaginaceae family.
Purple love grass (Eragrostis spectabilis). Poaceae family.
Racemed Milkwort (Polygala polygama). Also called Bitter Milkwort. Polygalaceae family.
Racemed Milkwort (Polygala polygama). Also called Bitter Milkwort. Polygalaceae family.
Arrow-leaved Violet (Viola sagittata). Violaceae family.
Bird’s Foot Violet (Viola pedata). Violaceae family.
Bird’s Foot Violet (Viola pedata).
Pink grassland wildflowers
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Apocynaceae family.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Apocynaceae family.
Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). Apocynaceae family.
Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria). Caryophyllaceae.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). Caryophyllaceae family.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis). Caryophyllaceae family.
Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis). Convolvulus family.
Goat’s Rue (Tephrosia virginiana). Fabaceae family.
Rabbit-foot Clover (Trifolium arvense). Fabaceae family.
Purple Agalinis (Agalinis purpurea). Orobanchaceae family.
Purple Agalinis (Agalinis purpurea). Orobanchaceae family.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Poaceae family.
Dock-leaved Smartweed (Persicaria lapathifolia). Polyonaceae family.
Red , orange grassland wildflowers
Shining Sumac (Rhus copallinum). Also called Winged Sumac. Anacardiaceae family.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Apocynaceae family.
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). Apocynaceae family.
Black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata). Ericaceae family.
Black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata). Ericaceae family.
Yellow grassland wildflowers
Shining Sumac (Rhus copallinum). Also called Winged Sumac. Anacardiaceae family.
Black-eyed Susan, Common (Rudbeckia hirta). Asteraceae family.
Camphor weed (Heterotheca subaxillaris). Camphor false golden-aster. Asteraceae family.
Coastal Plain Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia caroliniana; previously E. tenuifolia). Asteraceae family.
Common Grass-leaved Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia). Also called Common Flat-topped Goldenrod. Asteraceae family.
Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora). Asteraceae family.
Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora). Asteraceae family.
Wrinkle-leaved Goldenrod, Common (Solidago rugosa). Asteraceae family.
Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia). Asteraceae family.
Yellow Thistle (Cirsium horridulum). Asteraceae family.
Bushy Frostweed (Crocanthemum dumosum). Also called Bushy Rock rose. Cistaceae family.
Bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus. Fabaceae family.
Partridge sensitive-pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata). Fabaceae family.
Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria). Fabaceae family.
Yellow Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria). Fabaceae family.
Bushy Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum densiflorum). Hypericaceae family.
Common St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Hypericaceae family.
Yellow Stargrass (Hypoxis hirsuta). Hypoxidaceae family.
Prairie Sundrops (Oenothera pilosella). Also called Meadow Evening-Primrose. Oenagraceae family.
Common Evening-primrose (Oenethera biennis). Oenagraceae family.
Common Evening-primrose (Oenethera biennis). Oenagraceae family.
Common Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta). Oxalidaceae family.
Common Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta). Oxalidaceae family.
Butter-and-Eggs Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris). Plantaginaceae.
Silvery Cinquefoil (Potentilla argentea). Rosaceae family.
Common Mullein (Verbascum thapsus). Scrophulariaceae family.
Brown, green grassland wildflowers
Clustered Mountain-mint (Pycanthemum muticum). Lamiaceae family.
Bracted Plantain (Plantago aristata). Plantaginaceae family.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Poaceae family.
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Poaceae family.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Poaceae family. Also called Switch Panicgrass.
White grassland wildflowers
Fragrant Rabbit-tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium). Asteraceae family. Also known as Blunt-leaved Rabbit Tobacco and Fragrant Everlasting.
Fragrant Rabbit-tobacco (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium). Asteraceae family. Also known as Blunt-leaved Rabbit Tobacco and Fragrant Everlasting.
Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Asteraceae family.
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum). Asteraceae family.
Hyssop-leaved Boneset (Eupatorium hyssopifolium). Asteraceae family.
Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron strigosus). Asteraceae.
Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota). Also known as Wild Carrot.
Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota). Also known as Wild Carrot. Daucus family.
Nodding Ladies-tresses (Spiranthes cernua). Orchidaceae family.
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis). Plantaginaceae family.
Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis). Plantaginaceae family.
Common Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Rosaceae family.
Woodlands Blue, purple, lavender woodland wildflowers
Trailing Bush-clover (Lezpedeza procumbens). Fabaceae family.
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum). Geraniaceae family.
Northern Downy Violet (Viola sagitata var. ovata). Violaceae family.
Northern Downy Violet (Viola sagitata var. ovata). Also known as Arrowhead Violet. Violaceae family.
Pink woodland wildflowers
Maple-leaved Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium). Adoxaceae family.
Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium). Apocynaceae family.
Clasp-leaved Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis). Also known as Blunt-leaved Milkweed. Apocynaceae family.
Wild Pink (Silene caroliniana ssp. pensylvanica). Also known as Wild Campion. Caryophyllaceae family.
Pink Azalea (Rhododendron periclymenoides). Also known as Pinkster Ericaceae family.
Panicled Tick-trefoil (Desmodium paniculatum). Fabaceae family.
Panicled Tick-trefoil (Desmodium paniculatum). Fabaceae family.
Black Oak (Quercus velutina). Spring leaves and catkins. Fagaceae family.
Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule). Orchidaceae family.
Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule). Orchidaceae family. Native. Bogs, swamps, forest edges, open woods, especially pine or hemlock. This individual grew under pitch pines. Napeague, Long Island, 2018.
Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule). Orchidaceae family.
Red, orange woodland wildflowers
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis). Balsaminaceae family.
Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens canadensis). Balsaminaceae.
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Vitaceae family.
Yellow woodland wildflowers
Sassafras albidum. Lauraceae. Old tree in full flower.
Fringed Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata). Myrsinaceae family.
White woodland wildflowers
Common Elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Adoxaceae family.
Toothed Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum). Also known as smooth arrowwood. Adoxaceae family.
Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense). Asparagaceae family.
Starry Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum stellatum). Asparagaceae family.
Toothed White-topped Aster (Sericocarpus asteroides). Asteraceae family.
Toothed White-topped Aster. Asteraceae.
Coastal Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia). Clethraceae family.
Red-osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea). Cornaceae family.
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia). Ericaceae family.
Spotted Wintergeen (Chimaphila maculata). Ericaceae family.
Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum). Ericaceae family.
Pink Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium acaule). White morph. Orchidaceae family.
Starflower (Lysimachia borealis). Primulaceae family.
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). Rosaceae family.
Partridge-berry (Mitchella repens). Rubiaceae family.
Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia). Also called wood windflower. Ranunculaceae family.
Feathery False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum racemosum). Ruscaceae family.
c. Betsy McCully 2018-2020
