West Yellowstone Wildflowers

Yellowstone National Park has many different Life Zones that are responsible for a large variety of plant and flower life. When you visit Yellowstone, you'll notice a change in vegetation with the change in elevation.

In the lower elevations, you can find aquatic grasses and plants in the marshland and aquatic communities. In the geothermal community, you can find yellow monkey flower and algae. The northern desert area near Mammoth Hot Springs is hospitable to grasses, sagebrush, and Rocky Mountain Juniper. You'll find wildflowers mainly in the northern grasslands where it is relatively dry and warm. When you reach the mixed forest area at about 6,000 feet, you'll be amongst Douglas fir, aspen, berry bushes, and shrubs. Higher up, at about 7,600 feet, you'll find mainly lodgepole pine. Above 8,400 feet, the vegetation community bears spruce, fir, lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce. When you go above 10,000 feet, you are above timberline and will find no trees. Instead, you'll find yourself amongst lichen, sedge, grasses, alpine buttercups, and phlox.

If you are looking for wildflowers, stay mainly in the northern grassland area. However, you can find wildflowers in most open forest or meadow areas. You'll feel empowered and knowledgeable if you familiarize yourself with the basic family characteristics of the family groups of wildflowers found in the Rocky Mountains. The primary families found in this region are: the Lily, Buttercup, Rose, Mint, and Sunflower families.

Each wildflower family has distinct characteristics in the shape and structure of their petals and leaves. Some flowers are funnel-shaped while others are shaped like trumpets or bells. Some stems bear opposite leaves while others have alternate leaves. The colors of Rocky Mountain wildflowers also come in a rainbow of colors from bright yellows to deep reds to vibrant purples.

Some unique native wildflowers include: the Wyoming Paintbrush, Sulfur Paintbrush, Dalmatian Taodflax, Butter and Eggs, Yellow Monkey-flower, Lewis' Monkey-flower, Dwarf Purple Monkey-flower, Elephant's Head, Blue Penstemon, and the Small-flowered penstemon.

If hiking along Yellowstone's various trails, you'll find it worthwhile to bring along a book that identifies native wildflowers. Quality photos accompanied by brief descriptions of flowers are extremely helpful. Many different books are for sale in Yellowstone's numerous gift shops and visitors' centers. Some even include Native American legends about specific flowers.