The Wildflowers of Mount Rainier National Park

𝒲ildflower 𝒢uide

For convenience, this guide divides wildflower species into two main categories, forest and subalpine, based on the environment the flower species commonly grows in. The categories are further subdivided by flower color to aid in easy identification.
Though some overlap occurs, forest and subalpine areas of the park host distinct groups of wildflower species:

Dense old growth forest creates cool, shady conditions suitable to wildflower species different from the ones found in the sunnier subalpine meadows. Dense forest covers the low-to-mid elevations of the park from approximately 2,000 to 4,500 feet (610-1372 meters).

Subalpine meadows or "parkland" wreath the higher elevations of Mount Rainier, from about 4,500 to 6,500 feet (1372-1981 meters). This region is sometimes called subalpine parkland because at those elevations trees start to thin out and grow in patches interspersed among meadow instead of continuous forest. Eventually trees disappear completely in the alpine zone (approx. 6,500 feet/1981 meters to the summit). Subalpine regions often have the most impressive wildflower displays because those regions have a very short growing season. Snow can linger in the subalpine meadows well into June or July, and the flowers bloom profusely in order to reproduce as quickly as possible before the winter snows return.

For a guide to the wildflowers, vist The Guide.

ℐmage 𝒢allery

𝔉orest 𝔚ildflower 𝔖pecies

𝔖ubalpine 𝔚ildflower 𝔖pecies

Self-heal
"Self-heal", or Prunella vulgaris, has features such as dark green leaves, basal, and a short, hairy, spike-like flowering stem. The plant spreads along root stocks, and prefers shaded-to-sunny forest openings and roadsides that are moist, up to 4,000 feet.
Dwarf Lupine
"Dwarf Lupine", or Lupinus lepidus, is less than six inches, growing with a stout, woody base, and silvery leaves with about 5—7 leaflets. Typically grows at higher elevations, above 7,000 feet.
Wild Strawberry
"Wild Strawberry", or Fragaria vesca, has leaves that split into three toothed, hairy leaflets. They produce bright red fruit that are usually less than half an inch long, commonly found growing in spreading patches around the woods and along open roadsides and trails.
Lousewort, Bird's Beak
"Lousewort, Bird's Beak", or Pedicularis ornithorhyncha, grows its pink flowers in dense clusters, the top petal in a noticeable bent tube shape, similar to a beak. Commonly noticed in meadows and moist slopes between 6,000 and 7,000 feet, growing to about 4—8 inches.
Crimson Columbine
"Crimson Columbine", or Aquilegia formosa, has mostly basal leaves that are bluish-green in color with three main lobes, all further divided into three more lobes. Commonly found growing along the edges of meadows and streams.
Paintbrush, Scarlet
"Paintbrush, Scarlet", or Castilleja miniata, is a plant in the shape of a paintbrush, hence its name. Grows to be 8—16 inches tall, flaunting its lance-shaped leaves, commonly found above 5,000 feet.
Speedwell, Common
"Speedwell, Common", or Veronica officinalis, with finely-hairy leaves and stem, along with the leaves being toothed, that feature being the key difference between its cousin, Cusick's speedwell (Veronica cusickii). Usually found in places of low elevation.
Bear Grass
"Bear Grass", or Xerophyllum tenax, has stems that can be about 5 feet tall, which emerge from their large clumps of grass-like basal leaves. The plant gets its name from bears being known to eat the fleshy bases of its leaves in the spring.

𝔖ubalpine 𝔚ildflower 𝔖pecies

Dwarf Lupine
"Dwarf Lupine", or Lupinus lepidus, is less than six inches, growing with a stout, woody base, and silvery leaves with about 5—7 leaflets. Typically grows at higher elevations, above 7,000 feet.
Lousewort, Bird's Beak
"Lousewort, Bird's Beak", or Pedicularis ornithorhyncha, grows its pink flowers in dense clusters, the top petal in a noticeable bent tube shape, similar to a beak. Commonly noticed in meadows and moist slopes between 6,000 and 7,000 feet, growing to about 4—8 inches.
Paintbrush, Scarlet
"Paintbrush, Scarlet", or Castilleja miniata, is a plant in the shape of a paintbrush, hence its name. Grows to be 8—16 inches tall, flaunting its lance-shaped leaves, commonly found above 5,000 feet.
Bear Grass
"Bear Grass", or Xerophyllum tenax, has stems that can be about 5 feet tall, which emerge from their large clumps of grass-like basal leaves. The plant gets its name from bears being known to eat the fleshy bases of its leaves in the spring.