Twin-flower (Linnaea borealis)

Twin-flower (Linnaea borealis) grows to a height of three to six inches. The ½-inch long, pink bell flowers grow in pairs. Each flower has five fused petals. The leaves are round, ½ inch wide, and toothless. They can be found in conifer woodlands in the northern half of Wisconsin.

This delicate, evergreen groundcover is a hallmark of boreal and sub-boreal forests across the Northern Hemisphere. Its paired, nodding flowers—borne on slender Y-shaped stalks—emit a sweet fragrance and typically bloom for about a week in June or July. The plant’s name, borealis, reflects its northern distribution, while the genus Linnaea honors Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern taxonomy, who regarded this plant with particular affection.

Linnaea borealis spreads through trailing runners that weave loosely across the forest floor, often mingling with mosses and leaf litter beneath conifers like spruce, fir, and pine. The evergreen leaves, arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, echo the plant’s theme of symmetry. Though unassuming when not flowering, it becomes a quiet spectacle in bloom, a fleeting adornment of the woodland understory.

Ecologically, Twin-flower favors cool, moist, acidic soils and often appears in mature, undisturbed forests. Its presence can signal relatively intact woodland ecosystems. While it’s not a dominant nectar source, its blossoms do attract small pollinators, and its creeping growth helps stabilize soil and enhance the structure of the understory. (July)

Shining Lady’s Tresses (Spiranthes lucida)

Photo by Jeff Nesta

Spiranthes lucida,  commonly known as shining lady’s tresses, is a perennial orchid native to northeastern North America, including Wisconsin. It typically grows up to 15 inches tall and produces white flowers in a spiral arrangement along a single spike, each featuring a yellow lip. The basal leaves are lance-oblong and remain during flowering.

The species blooms from late May to early July and fruits by mid-July. It inhabits saturated, calcareous soils in places such as streambanks, fens, river terraces, and old quarries. Its range extends from Nova Scotia to northeastern Wisconsin, and south to Virginia, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Pollination is primarily carried out by short-tongued bees, particularly from the Halictidae family. In some regions, including Wisconsin, it is listed as a species of special concern due to habitat sensitivity.  (LS)

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

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Common Milkweed is a native, perennial wildflower. It can grow up to five feet tall. It bears cream-colored, pink-tinged flowers, 1/2 inch wide, that form round clusters up to two inches wide. Each flower has five downward-pointing petals and a five-part pointed crown. It has large, toothless leaves that are four to six inches long and bleed a milky sap when torn. Within its range it can be found in a broad array of habitats from croplands to pastures, roadsides, ditches and old fields. It is surprisingly rare in prairies in the Midwest, being found mostly in disturbed sites due to its inability to compete with other vegetation.

In Wisconsin alone, there are twelve native species of milkweed, and while they differ in form and habitat preference, they all play a critical ecological role as host plants for monarch butterfly caterpillars. Monarchs lay their eggs exclusively on milkweed species, and the emerging caterpillars depend entirely on the plant for nourishment. As they consume the leaves, they ingest natural toxins that deter most predators—an elegant defense mechanism passed from plant to insect. This specialized relationship makes every milkweed planting an act of conservation, supporting monarch populations that are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and environmental changes. (July)

Michigan Lily (Lillium michiganense)

 

 The Michigan Lily 

Michigan lily (Lillium michiganense) grows two to five feet tall. It is a single-stemmed wildflower with sword-like leaves arranged in whorls. Its stem often branches at the tip to form additional flower stalks. Orange flowers, up to three inches across, have petals that curve backward. Dark spots mark the inner surface of the six petals. It prefers full to partial sun, loamy or sandy soil, and moist conditions.  

Though often mistaken for its close relative, the Turk’s cap lily (Lilium superbum), the Michigan lily is native to Wisconsin and the Turk’s cap lily is not; but they can be easily distinguished. The Turk’s cap lily has a green star at the base of its flower that is absent in the Michigan lily. Michigan lily flower buds are slender and often reddish-orange, while Turk’s cap lily buds are plumper and sometimes hint at a green star early on. Also, Michigan lily leaves feel slightly rough, while Turk’s cap lily leaves are smooth to the touch. 

Another point of distinction is how these two lilies spread through their native ranges. While Turk’s cap lily often forms larger, denser colonies throughout the Southeast and Eastern United States, the Michigan lily tends to appear in scattered, more solitary patches across the Midwest. (July)

Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis)

     Photo by Leticia Provencio 

     Clasping Milkweed is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It grows one to three feet tall. The flowers have a soft pink hue, often in shades of cream or green. The flower structure is complex. The flowers form in a compact rounded cluster that is two to four inches in diameter. Each flower has five petals that reflex backward. Above the flowers are five hood-like structures. The leaves are opposite and have a waxy appearance. The base of the leaf clasps the stem. The leaves are oval, three to five inches long, and two inches wide. It grows in dry habitats in sandhills, dry open woods, pine savannahs, and fallow fields. They do best where they can receive at least six hours of full sun. Partial shade the rest of the day works well. (July)
 

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)

 

Purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) is widely found in Midwestern prairies and a native perennial of Wisconsin. Standing up to three feet tall, this wildflower graces dry, sunny prairies and meadows with its vivid bloom. 

Its flowers are small—less than 1/4 inch across—with five purple petals. These tiny blossoms cluster tightly together, forming a distinctive, thimble-shaped flower head that can reach up to two inches long. The plant’s foliage is equally delicate, with slender leaves composed of five to seven leaflets, each measuring between 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch.

Additionally, purple prairie clover is attractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies. It also plays an important role in prairie restoration thanks to its deep root system and nitrogen-fixing ability, helping to enrich the soil where it grows.  (July)

Showy Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense)

Showy tick trefoil (Desmodium canadense) is a tall, bushy perennial wildflower native to North America, including Wisconsin. Reaching heights of two to six feet, it produces clusters of pink to purple, pea-shaped flowers near the tops of its slender stems during mid to late summer.

Its leaves are made up of three grey-green leaflets, each about two to three inches long and narrower than half their length. The leaflets are oblong or lance-shaped, rounded at the tips, and the undersides have tiny hooked hairs—an ingenious feature that helps the plant’s sticky seed pods latch onto fur or clothing for dispersal.

This wildflower is versatile in its growing preferences, thriving in full sun or partial shade. You’ll find it in open woods, prairies, and disturbed areas like roadsides. It’s drought-tolerant thanks to a deep taproot and even improves the soil around it by fixing nitrogen—making it an excellent choice for native plant gardens or ecological restoration projects.

Additionally, showy tick trefoil plays a valuable role in supporting local wildlife. It provides nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, and serves as a host plant for caterpillars of species such as the Eastern Tailed Blue, Gray Hairstreak, and Silver-spotted Skipper.

(July)

Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz  

     The obedient plant typically grows to a height of three to four feet. Its flowers are tubular and resemble snapdragons, arranged in dense spikes, with each flower about 1 inch long. The colors range from pink to pale lilac. The leaves are lance-shaped, growing in opposite pairs along the stem, with each pair rotated 90 degrees from the previous one. They are about four to five inches long and one to two inches wide, with serrated edges. Obedient plants prefer full sun to partial shade and thrive in moist, well-drained soils. They are quite adaptable and can grow in a variety of soil types, including loam, clay, and rocky soils. Often found in wetlands, prairies, and meadows, they can tolerate both drought and poor drainage. (July)

     

Hoary Vervain (Verbena Stricta)

Hoary Vervain, also known by its scientific name Verbena stricta, is a hardy, native perennial wildflower found throughout much of the central and eastern United States. Its range extends from the Great Plains to the Midwest and parts of the Southeast, making it a familiar presence in prairie remnants, open woodlands, and dry grasslands.

This plant typically grows two to four feet tall and forms upright, clump-like stems topped with vibrant purple flower spikes. These spikes can be anywhere from two to eight inches long and consist of dozens of small, tubular flowers that bloom sequentially from the bottom upward. Each blossom is about half an inch in size and showcases five rounded lobes with the lower lobe often slightly notched, attracting the eye with both color and delicate form.

The leaves of Hoary Vervain are distinctive—oval to obovate in shape, two to three inches long, and covered with dense, silvery hairs that lend the plant its “hoary” appearance. They are coarsely toothed along the margins and pointed at the tips, giving the plant a rugged texture. These leaves are arranged opposite each other along the square-shaped stems, which are also hairy.

Hoary Vervain is well-suited to dry, sunny environments and is most often found in disturbed soils, roadsides, ditch banks, and sandy fields. It thrives in well-drained, low-fertility soils and requires little maintenance once established, making it an excellent choice for native plant gardens and prairie restorations.

Additionally, Hoary Vervain plays a valuable ecological role. It provides nectar for a wide variety of pollinators, including native bees, butterflies, and moths. The Common Buckeye butterfly uses it as a host plant, and certain specialist bees, like Calliopsis verbenae, rely exclusively on its blooms for pollen. Songbirds, particularly sparrows, are known to feed on its seeds, aiding in dispersal.

Because it is both deer and rabbit resistant, Hoary Vervain is a reliable performer in wildlife gardens. While it can reseed itself generously, especially in favorable conditions, gardeners can manage its spread by deadheading spent flower spikes. (July)

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

 

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a perennial wildflower native to Wisconsin. It grows one to two feet tall. The yellow orange to bright orange flower clusters, two to five inches across, are at the top of the stem. It has stiff, dark green, lance-shaped leaves that are toothless and two to six inches long. It grows best in well-drained sand, loam, clay or limestone in full sun.

It’s a favorite among butterflies, as the name suggests, but also beckons bees with its rich nectar. As in the case of other milkweeds, it is a host plant for monarch butterfly caterpillars. But unlike many other milkweeds, Butterfly Milkweed lacks milky sap, which can surprise some folks expecting the signature trait.

Its tidy, upright form and low-maintenance nature make it a star in native gardens, restoration projects, and even sunny roadside plantings. Once established, it’s impressively drought-tolerant—perfect for Wisconsin summers that can swing from soggy to scorched.

(July)   

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     Swamp milkweed is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin.  It typically grows three to five feet tall. The flowers bloom in shades of pink, mauve, or occasionally white. Each individual flower is about 1/4 inch in diameter, but they are arranged in clusters that can be two to three inches in diameter. Lance shaped leaves grow in pairs along the stem. They are three to six inches long and one to two inches wide. This plant prefers moist to wet soils and is often found in wetlands, along streams, and in wet meadows. It thrives in full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. (July)

False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

Photo by Gary Kurtz

False Sunflower is a native, perennial in Wisconsin. It grows to a height of three to six feet. The flower is bright yellow with a golden center and has a daisy-like appearance. It measures two to three inches in diameter. It surrounds a cone-shaped, golden-brown center disk. The leaves are ovate and grow opposite each other on the stem. They have toothed margins and sandpapery texture. They grow up to six inches long. It grows in grasslands and at the edge of woodlands. (July)

 

Tall Bellflower (Campanula Americana)

           

Tall bellflower (Campanula americana) is a wildflower native to eastern North America, including Wisconsin. It is a three to six-foot, erect plant with leafy stems. The upper portion of the stem is lined with showy, lavender-blue, five-petaled inch-wide flowers in single spike clusters one to two feet long. The three to six-inch leaves are lance-shaped, toothed and pointed. It likes open woodlands, shady streams, and thickets in rich, moist soil.

It is a short-lived annual or biennial that completes its life cycle in one or two years, depending on when its seeds germinate. Those that sprout in the fall often bloom the following summer, while spring-germinating plants typically wait until the next year. Unlike many other bellflowers, its blossoms are star-shaped and flat, with a pale ring in the center that helps attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bumblebees, leaf-cutting bees, butterflies, skippers, and hummingbirds. The flowers open sequentially from the bottom of the flower spike upward, creating a long blooming season from mid to late summer. After flowering, it forms five-angled seed pods that spill seeds close to the parent plant. This keeps it returning year after year in favorable spots. Commonly found along woodland edges, shaded meadows, and stream banks, tall bellflower favors dappled sunlight and moist, rich soil—making it a possible addition to shade gardens and rain gardens alike. (July)

American Potato Bean (Apios americana)

Photo by Gary Kurtz 

     American Potato Bean is a perennial wildflower that is native to Wisconsin. It is a vine that can grow eight to 10 feet long in Wisconsin, even longer in warmer climates. The flowers are composed of dense racemes of pink, purple, or red brown flowers. The flowers are about an inch long, and the racemes grow three to five inches long. The leaves are pinnate with five to seven leaflets, each three to six inches long. The alternate leaves can be either smooth or hairy, lanceolate in shape, and smooth along the edges. It prefers soil that is sandy loam, well-draining, and rich in organic matter. It can be found in moist woods, along river banks, moist meadows, and wet ravines. (July) 

Wild Germander (Teucrium canadense)

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     Wild Germander is a native perennial wildflower in Wisconsin that grows up to three feet tall. It features a four-sided, hairy stem that is rarely branched. It produces a terminal spike of 3/4 inch long, purplish-pink flowers. The flowers have a unique corolla configuration with no apparent upper lip. It has opposite leaves that can be up to five inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide. The upper leaf surface is dark green with recessed veins and the lower leaf surface is dull green with raised veins. Wild Germander thrives in fields, prairies, low woods, stream sides, roadsides, and other disturbed sites. (July) 

American Waterlilly (Nymphaea odorata)

     The American Waterlily is a native, perennial in Wisconsin. The floating water flowers, three to six inches wide, are made of many pointed petals surrounding a yellow center. The floating leaves are round or heart-shaped, deeply notched, toothless, shiny green. They grow up to 10 inches across. It grows in ponds and lakes.  (July)

Ghost Plant (Monotropa uniflora)

     

Ghost plant  (Monotropa uniflora) is a native wildflower found throughout much of North America, including Wisconsin. It grows from Maine to California, and from Florida to Alaska, though it tends to be absent in the central Rockies.

This unusual plant typically reaches 4 to 12 inches in height. Each pale, waxy stem bears a single flower that droops downward when it first emerges from the forest floor. The flower itself is about an inch long. Indian Pipe is strikingly white—sometimes pinkish—with scattered black flecks, giving it an ethereal, otherworldly look.

It thrives in mature, moist, and shaded forests, especially near decaying stumps or under beech trees. What makes it truly unique is that it lacks chlorophyll and doesn’t photosynthesize. Instead, ghost plant is a mycoheterotroph—it obtains nutrients by parasitizing mycorrhizal fungi that are in a symbiotic relationship with nearby trees. These fungi form a vast underground web, often called the “wood wide web,” which shuttles nutrients and chemical signals throughout the forest. Ghost plant cleverly inserts itself into this system, drawing energy indirectly from trees via this fungal network—no sunlight required.

Ghost plant typically blooms from early summer to early autumn, often appearing after rain. Once pollinated—mainly by bumblebees—the flower lifts upright and eventually produces a capsule that releases fine seeds into the air. (July)

American Feverfew (Parthenium integrifolium)

     American Feverfew is a native, perennial wildflower that can reach three feet in height. It has white, fuzzy flower clusters that are about 1/4 inch wide, with tiny ray florets and purple markings on the banner petal. The flower clusters are flat-topped or slightly rounded. The leaves are aromatic, leathery, and hairy, with coarsely toothed or scalloped margins. The basal and lower stem leaves are elliptical to broadly ovate, and taper into long petioles. The upper stem leaves are smaller and sessile, or without stalks. American Feverfew grows in dry to medium-wet soils, in full sun or partial shade, in habitats such as prairies, glades, and rocky woods. (July)
 

Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

   Nodding Onion is a Wisconsin native, perennial wildflower. It typically grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches. Its small flowers, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter, form in clusters that nod or droop, and are usually pink to lavender in color. Each cluster can have up to 30 individual flowers. The leaves are long, slender, and grass-like, measuring 6 to 12 inches in length and about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in width. They grow from the base of the plant and have a smooth texture. Nodding onion is commonly found in prairies, open woods, and rocky slopes, preferring well-drained soils and areas with full sun to partial shade. (July)

     

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)

 

    Photo by Gary Kurtz 

     Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is a native, perennial wildflower that grows in Wisconsin. It grows about six to 12 inches tall and spreads out about 12 to 18 inches. The flowers are yellow with sometimes orange or red centers. The flowers are usually large and waxy, with a diameter of two to three inches. They have bushy clumps of yellow stamens in the center, surrounded by seven or more tepals. The leaves, called pads, are ellipsoidal in shape and can measure over a foot long and over eight inches wide. It grows best in full sun and well-drained sandy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

(JULY)