Wild Senna (Senna marilandica)

Photo by Gary Kurtz 

     Wild Senna is  a Wisconsin native perennial is in bloom at this time. It grows up to 6 feet tall and three feet wide. The flowers are showy and yellow, forming in axillary racemes, with each flower about 3/4 inch across. The leaves are compound and pinnate, with four to eight pairs of ovate to elliptical leaflets on each leaf. It is found in woodland edges, open fields, and thickets, and in moist areas such as riverbanks and moist prairies. It prefers full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy and rocky soils. (July)

      

Western Sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     The Western Sunflower is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It typically grows to a height of  two to four feet. Its bright yellow flowers are daisy-like and measure about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches across. The vibrant yellow disk in the center of the flower is composed of numerous, tiny disk florets. These flowers are surrounded by several overlapping bracts, which are light green, linear-lanceolate in shape, and about 1/4 inch long. The plant features long, often reddish stems that are mostly bare except for a few pairs of small, widely spaced leaves. The majority of the leaves form a basal rosette at the base of the plant, with the basal leaves being large, rough, and hairy, and attached by long stalks. The stem leaves are smaller and lanceolate, measuring around one to three inches long and 1/4 to 3/4 inches wide. In nature, the Western Sunflower thrives in dry, open habitats such as prairies, meadows, and rocky open woods, where it enjoys full sun and well-drained soils. (SF)

Sweet Coneflower (Rudbeckia subtomentosa)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     Sweet Coneflower is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It can exceed five feet in height, but it usually grows three to five feet tall. Its daisy-like flowers are bright yellow with a dark brownish-purple center disk and measure about 2 to 3 inches in diameter. The upper leaves are typically lance-shaped to ovate and have a rough texture. They are smaller and narrower compared to the lower leaves, and they are arranged alternately along the stem. The leaves are usually toothed and have a grayish-green color. The lower and basal leaves reaching up to 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. The lower leaves are usually lobed with three to five lance-elliptic lobes and have coarsely toothed edges. Sweet Coneflower thrives in medium moisture, well-drained loam or sandy loam and prefers full or partial sun. It is commonly found in moist prairies, along streambanks, and in low areas. This plant is quite adaptable and can tolerate hot and humid summers, some drought, clay soil, and poor soils. (SF)

     

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)

     

False Indian Plantain (Hasteola suaveolens)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     False Indian Plantain can grow up to five feet tall. It produces clusters of small, creamy white to pale yellow flowers, arranged in flat top clusters. Each flower is about 1/3 inch wide. The leaves are spearhead-shaped and have serrated edges. The leaves are hairless and have a distinctive shape that makes them easy to identify. They can grow four to 10 inches long and two to six inches wide. False Indian Plantain prefers moist to wet soil conditions and is commonly found along riverbanks, floodplain forests, wet meadows and the edges of marshes. It thrives in full sun to light shade. (SF)

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) 

Whorled Milkweed (Asclepsias verticillata)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     Whorled Milkweed is a perennial wildflower that is native to Wisconsin. It can grow one to three feet tall and one to two feet wide. It bears small clusters of creamy-white flowers. Each flower cluster is about one to two inches in diameter. Its long, narrow leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem. The leaves are typically two to three inches long and about 1/8 inch wide. It prefers dry to medium moisture conditions and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It can be found in prairies, glades, and open woodlands. (SF)

Common Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     

     Common agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) is a perennial, Wisconsin native wildflower that can grow between 1 to 5 feet in height. It features small, bright yellow flowers arranged in elongating spike-like racemes at the top of the stem and arising from upper leaf axils. Each flower is about ¼ to ⅓ inch across, with five oval yellow petals and five to ten yellow stamens. The flowers are accompanied by green sepals that are pointed at the tip and slightly shorter than the petals. The leaves are compound, with 3 to 9 major leaflets and 1 to 4 pairs of smaller leaflets in between. The end leaflet is the largest, ranging from 1 to 4 inches long and ½ to 2 inches wide, becoming smaller towards the base of the compound leaf. The leaflets are elliptic to somewhat diamond-shaped, coarsely toothed with blunt to pointed teeth. The upper surface of the leaflets is hairless or nearly so, while the lower surface is densely covered in short, glandular hairs with sparse, long, non-glandular hairs mostly along the veins. It thrives in various habitats, including open woods, woodland edges, thickets, fields, and swamps. (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) 

Rosinweed (Silphium integrifolium)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     Rosinweed is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It typically grows between 3 to 6 feet tall and features bright yellow flowers that resemble sunflowers. The flower heads measure up to three inches in diameter. The leaves of rosinweed are quite distinctive. They are large, rough, and stalkless, growing in pairs along the stem. Each leaf can be up to 8 inches long and is lance-shaped to ovate. The plant is named for the sticky, resinous sap that oozes from cut or broken stems. It can be found in prairies, glades, and roadsides. Rosinweed thrives in a variety of soil conditions, from moderately dry to moist, and is well-suited to tough clay soils. It prefers full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade, and once established, it is drought tolerant. (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)

Glade-mallow (Napaea dioica)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

     Glade Mallow can grow five to ten feet tall. The white flowers, ⅓ to ¾ inch across, have five petals and five sepals, and the flowers are organized into a panicle. It has large, palmately lobed leaves that can be up to 18 inches in diameter. It thrives in moist to wet environments such as floodplains, along streams, and in open woods and woodland edges. It prefers full to partial sun exposure. (July)

Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)

                    

     Photo by Gary Kurtz

     The Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida) is a native perennial that can reach a height of up to 3 feet. It bears a distinctive flower characterized by a domed, reddish-brown central disk surrounded by slender, drooping petals that range in color from pale pink to purple. The leaves of this plant are lanceolate, hairy, and rough on both sides, with most of them clustering at the lower third of the stem. This resilient wildflower thrives in a variety of habitats, including dry to mesic prairies, open woodlands, hillsides, glades, and roadsides. It prefers well-drained soils, full sun, and can tolerate a pH range of 4.5 to 7.5, making it well-suited for a range of environmental conditions. (July) 

Annual Fleabane (Erigeron annus)

 

  Photo by Gary Kurtz

Annual Fleabane, scientifically known as Erigeron annuus, is a native wildflower in Wisconsin that thrives in disturbed areas such as pastures, abandoned fields, roadsides, and railways. This adaptable plant grows between one and five feet tall, producing delicate aster-like flowers in the spring. Each flower features a bright yellow center composed of tubular disk florets, surrounded by 80 to 125 narrow rays that range in color from white to pale lavender. The flowers, measuring about half an inch to one inch in diameter, create a soft, airy appearance that adds charm to natural landscapes.

The foliage of Annual Fleabane is equally distinctive. Its leaves are alternate and sessile, meaning they lack a stalk and attach directly to the stem. The lower leaves, which are broader and coarsely toothed, typically grow between two and four inches long and up to two inches wide. In contrast, the upper leaves are narrower, often without teeth, and can reach up to five inches in length. The plant’s green stems are sparsely hairy, contributing to its slightly rough texture.

In Wisconsin, Annual Fleabane plays an important role in both gardens and ecological restoration projects. Its ability to thrive in disturbed soils makes it a valuable pioneer species, helping to stabilize and enrich degraded landscapes. It is often one of the first native plants to return to areas undergoing restoration, outcompeting invasive species and supporting local biodiversity. The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and small wasps, making it a beneficial addition to pollinator gardens. Additionally, its presence in naturalized areas contributes to habitat restoration efforts, providing food and shelter for insects and other wildlife. Whether growing in wild spaces or incorporated into native plant gardens, Annual Fleabane enhances the environment with its resilience and ecological benefits. (LS) 

Cylindrical Thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica)

 

    Photo by Gary Kurtz

      Cylindrical Thimbleweed is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It grows one to three feet tall. The flowers are greenish white and about 3/4 inch across. Each flower has five petal-like sepals and numerous yellow stamens surrounding a green, cone-like center. The leaves are palmately compound. Each leaflet can be up to four inches long and is deeply lobed, hairy, and wedge shaped at the base.  The basal leaves are larger and have long stalks, while the stem leaves are smaller. It thrives in prairies, woodland edges, and roadsides. It prefers dry, sunny to partially shaded conditions. (July)

Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

 

Photo by Gary Kurtz

   

Foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) is a hardy perennial wildflower native to the eastern North America, and can be found naturalized throughout Wisconsin. It grows to a height of three to five feet, producing clusters of delicate white to pale pink flowers that are tubular and two-lipped, resembling foxgloves. These blossoms attract a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making the plant a valuable addition to pollinator gardens. Its deep green, lance-shaped leaves grow in opposite pairs along the stem, with basal leaves forming a rosette. Foxglove beardtongue thrives in a range of habitats, such as prairies, meadows, woodland edges, fields, and disturbed areas like roadsides and powerline corridors. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, making it an ideal choice for both natural landscapes and cultivated gardens.

In Wisconsin, this wildflower plays an important role in gardens and ecological restoration projects. Its adaptability and low maintenance requirements make it a popular choice for native plant gardens, where it provides seasonal interest and supports local biodiversity. Because it is drought-tolerant and capable of growing in a variety of soil conditions, foxglove beardtongue is often used in prairie restoration efforts to help reestablish native plant communities. Its deep root system stabilizes soil, making it useful for erosion control in areas where soil disturbance is a concern. (LS)

Rattlesnake Master ( Eryngium yuccifolium)

     

Photo by Gary Kurtz

 

     Rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium, typically grows to a height of 3 to 5 feet and spreads about 1 to 2 feet wide. Its flowers are distinctive, forming tight, ball-like clusters of greenish-white blooms that resemble thistles. These flowers are small, dainty, and tightly packed, with white stamens extending into pointed bracts. The leaves of rattlesnake master are long, narrow, and sword shaped. They are blue green in color, with parallel veins and stiff spines along the margins. This plant thrives in full sun and is commonly found in prairies, rocky woods, glades, and meadow habitats, preferring dry, sandy, or well-drained soils. (July)

Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina)

 

     

    

 Photo by Gary Kurtz

Carolina Rose

Rosa carolina, commonly known as Carolina rose or pasture rose, is a deciduous shrub that typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall, occasionally reaching up to 6 feet, and spreads 1 to 5 feet wide. It produces fragrant pink flowers, usually borne singly—or on twos or threes—rather than in clusters, with blooms measuring 2-1/2 to 3 inches in diameter. The stems are upright and armed with straight, needle-like thorns. Its smooth, dark green foliage consists of compound leaves that turn yellow to red in the fall. This hardy native thrives in a wide range of habitats—from dry prairies and open woods to moist streambanks and roadsides—and is tolerant of heat and occasional drought once established. It also spreads by suckers, forming thickets that provide excellent cover and food for wildlife.

In Wisconsin, Carolina rose is valued for its role in both gardens and ecological restoration projects. Its adaptability makes it a popular choice for native plant gardens, where it provides seasonal beauty and supports local wildlife. The flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, while the dense foliage offers shelter for small animals. In prairie restoration efforts, Carolina rose helps stabilize soil and reintroduce native plant diversity to degraded landscapes.  (LS)

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)

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)