Early Summer Flowers of Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Presented by The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden
Thumbnails of some of the early summer flowering plants you may encounter on a visit - June to Mid-July. This page includes both the Upland and Woodland Gardens. Alternate common names for plant are shown in ( ), woody plants designated by "*". Timing of bloom will vary with each year's weather pattern.
Plant names with web links lead to a separate page of plant information and photos on that plant.
Images are arranged by six color categories and then by scientific name within color. Plants listed on our Common and Scientific name list that are not currently found in the Garden are not listed below.
Download printable PDF File in Scientific Name Order within Color. Prints at 11 high by 8.5 inches wide, 20 images per page, 30 pages total: Low resolution 5.5mb - - - Hi resolution 40.7mb. Best for printing.
Flowers white and whitish
Achillea millefolium
Leaf fern-like, astringent aroma.
Actaea racemosa
leaf 2-3 compound parts near base of stem, leaflets toothed.
Flower stalk 6 to 8' high, held above leaves. Sepals drop early, petals small.
Alliaria petiolata
Leaves with heart-shape base, coarse teeth. Flowers in terminal spikes.
Plants can be 4 inches to 6' high. Biennial. First year is a leaf rosette.
(Ramp)
Allium tricoccum
(Ramp)
Leaves disappear before flowers open
Anemone canadensis
Upper stem leaves stalkless, basal look the same, but on long stalks.
(Common Dogbane)
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Leaves opposite, stems and stalks reddish in sun. Flowers resemble a bell.
(Indianhemp)
Apocynum cannabinum
(Indianhemp)
Flowers at top of tall stem, branching only at top.
Aralia racemosa
Flowers whitish-green. Leaves are twice compound, 2+ feet long and wide.
Leaflets oval, heart-shape base, abrupt tip. Plat 2-7' high
Drupes dark purple or reddish-brown in Autumn. Not edible.
Arnoglossum reniforme
Leaves palmate, large lobes, stem angled & purplish.
Asclepias exaltata
Unbranched. Leaves opposite, to 8" long.
Pods held upright on a downward curving stalk. Brown at maturity.
Asclepias verticillata
Slender pods are held erect on an erect stalk. Brown at maturity.
(Wild White Indigo)
Baptisia alba var. macrophylla
Leaf 3-parted, leaflets not stalked, Flower stem above leaves.
Seed pods inflated, dark brown-black at maturity.
Baptisia bracteata
AKA Longbract Wild Indigo. (Photo Merle R. Black)
Branching stems to 30", leaves 3-part grayish-green. Large flower bracts. (Photo Derek Anderson)
Berteroa incana
Raceme elongates with new flowers as plump hairy seed pods form. 10-28" high
Stem leaves linear with grayish down, no stalk. Flowers in rounded cluster.
Boechera laevigata (Arabis laevigata)
Stem erect, stem leaves long, narrow, curling. Basal leaves obovate
Ceanothus americanus
Leaf elliptical, veins prominent. Flowers tiny.
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Leaf stalked, glossy-green top. Flower head long-stalked.
Cerastium fontanum ssp. vulgare
Short plant. Leaves opposite, stalkled, fine hair. Flowers - 5 cleft petals
Cichorium intybus
Basal leaf long with sharp dentations, stalked.
Stem leaf short, stalkless with clasping auricle; may have fine teeth.
(Broadleaf Enchanter's Nightshade)
Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis
Leaves opposite, long stalks, shallow teeth.
Flowers small, 2-parted, long stalks on 12-24" unbranched spike
(Sprawling vine)
Clematis virginiana
Leaves 3-parted, opposite, leaf stalks twining. Flowers perfect or dioecious
Comandra umbellata
Plant short, erect. Flowers in flattened clusters. Leaves alternate, smooth.
Convallaria majalis
Leaves basal, usually 2. Flowers 5-15 on scape, nodding, fragrant.
Cornus racemosa
leaf opposite, no teeth. Less moist areas.
Drupes turn white in Fall with red stalks. Not edible.
(Stems red Fall to Spring.)
Cornus sericea
Leaf opposite, no teeth, whitish beneath, fine hair on top.
Drupes turn whitish-lead color with pale red stalks, not edible
Dalea candida
Leaf pinnate, 5-9 short leaflets
Dioscorea villosa
Twining stems, tiny dioecious flowers. Upper stem leaves long-stalked
Seeds in inflated papery capsule, 3-sectioned, 2 seeds per section.
(Eastern Daisy Fleabane)
Erigeron annuus
(Eastern Daisy Fleabane)
Leaf toothed, not clasping, stem hair standing out
Phyllaries in 2 to 3 series, sparsely hairy, sometimes glandular.
(Common Fleabane)
Erigeron philadelphicus
(Common Fleabane)
Upper leaves clasping stem, stem hairy.
Phyllaries - 2 to 3 series, with or without fine hair, sometimes glandular
Erigeron strigosus
(Prairie Fleabane)
leaf- few teeth, not clasping, stem hair close to stem.
(Prairie Fleabane)
Phyllaries in 2 to 4 series with or without fine hair.
Fallopia cilinodis
(Polygonum cilinode)
Leaves well spaced, heart-shape base, underside fine hair, long slender stalk
Clockwise twining vine to 7', stem reddish. Ocrea with fine down-pointing bristles
Filipendula ulmaria
Leaf - 2-4 pair of lateral leaflets, terminal leaflet has 3-7 lobes.
Fragaria virginiana
Fragaria vesca
(Beetleweed)
Galax urceolata
(Stickywilly)
Galium aparine
(Stickywilly)
Weak stems, few branches, fine clinging hooks, flowers in leaf axils. Leaves whorl 6
Galium asprellum
stems -Many branches, stems prickly on the 4 angles, leaves whorl of 6 -rough. Flower cluster much branched.
Galium boreale
Seed pod oblong, 2-celled, hairy.
Leaves whorls of 4, on multiple stems from root. Stem erect to 3', not sticky
Flowers in showy terminal panicle, each branch into 3 forked clusters of flowers.
Galium concinnum. Photo Christopher Noll, Wisconsin Flora
Leaves whorls of 6, rough edged, sharply pointed, many branches, sprawling. Photo ©Merel R. Black, Wisconsin Flora
Galium trifidum
3-lobe flowers in triplets. leaves ALL whorls of 4
Galium triflorum
Leaves whorls of 6, vanilla odor, 3-flower clusters. Stem nodes smooth.
Geum canadense
Lower leaves with 3 to 5 toothed leaflets. Upper smaller, 3 leaflets or just 3 lobes.
Heracleum maximum
Small flowers in compound flat-topped umbel. Stem 3 to 8' high
3-parted toothed leaflets, up to 2 feet wide, forming a sheath at the base
(Sweet Rocket)
Hesperis matronalis
Leaves alternate, lance-shape, toothed. Flowers in loose terminal cluster.
Plants have pink or white flowers. stem little branched, fine hair, 2-5' high
(Black Alder)
Ilex verticillata
Leaf toothed, hairy under. Flowers in leaf axils.
Drupes red at maturity, not palatable to humans.
Lathyrus ochroleucus
Leaf- 3 to 5+pairs leaflets, tendril at tip, green before flowering.
Leonurus cardiaca
Lower leaves 5-lobed, middle 3-lobed, upper entire.
Leucanthemum vulgare
Stems 8-24", erect, basal leaves more oval, stem leaves stalkless, coarse teeth.
Phyllaries in overlapping series, lanceolate with brown margins near tips.
Lycopus americanus
Lycopus uniflorus
Tlowers tiny, 4-lobed but may look like 5 lobes, in tight clusters in leaf axils. To 40"
Leaves elliptic, opposite, coarse teeth but less coarse than L. americanus.
Melilotus alba
Leaf 3-parted, serrated edges. Terminal leaflet on longer stalk.
(Common Moonseed)
Menispermum canadense
Leaf large, broad, ovate, shallowly lobed. Flowers small, bell-shaped.
Mentha arvensis
To 2-1/2' high, little branching,no flowers on TOP of 4-angled stem.
Leaves opposite, stalked, toothed. Flowers pink to white in verticillasters
Mitchella repens. Photo Merle R. Black, Wisconsin Flora.
Low growing plant. White flowers are seldom seen in the Garden
Berries twinned, 8 seeded, not bitter but barely edible. Photo Merle R. Black.
(Bishop's Cap)
Mitella diphylla
(Bishop's Cap)
Single pair of almost stalkless 3 to 5 lobed leaves at mid stem
Moehringia lateriflora
Leaf - oblong, blunt tip, no stalk, less than 1” long, fine hair.
Napaea dioica
Lower leaves large, 4 12", deeply cut lobes, upper leaves stalkless.
Flowers in many stalked clusters atop a 6 foot+ ridged green stem
Clayton's Sweet-root
Osmorhiza claytonii
Leaf 2x pinnately divided, surfaces hairy, stem hairy, hairy bracts below flowers.
Plant 1 -3 feet high, hairy, branching, stem base reddish.
(Smooth Sweet Cicely)
Osmorhiza longistylis
Leaf 2x pinnately divided, underside veins have whitish hair.
Plant 2 to 4 foot, some branching, smooth or with hair. Stem reddish.
Parnassia glauca
Leaves all basal. Petals with green veins, sepals small and hidden
(American Feverfew)
Parthenium integrifolium
Tall plant, flowers in flat-topped clusters, 5 tiny ray florets around center disc.
Upper leaves lance shape, alternate, stalkless, lower stalked
(Tall Penstemon)
Penstemon digitalis
Stalkless leaf, shiny, fine teeth, lance shape. Stem smooth.
Persicaria punctata
Flowers in interrupted fascicles. Leaves 8x long as wide.
(Common Ninebark)
Physocarpus opulifolius
Leaf - resembles Maple leaf, lower ones have 3-5 lobes, upper more rounded.
Fruit capsules reddish-brown in Fall; each 3 to 5 chambered with reddish-brown shiny seeds.
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Plant is 1 - 3 feet tall, small opposite lance shape leaves, sweetly aromatic.
Rubus allegheniensis
Lower leaves - 5 long-stalked leaflets. Glandular hair on leaf & flower stalks.
Berries turn red then black, not easily separated from torus, edible. Stiff thorns.
(Northern Dewberry)
Rubus flagellaris
Short upland plant, usually prostrate, small stem prickles, leaf-3-parted.
Berries 1/2 - 3/4" long, fruit separates with torus attached, edible
Rubus idaeus
Leaf on new canes 5 - 7 lobed, on old canes 3 - 5 lobes. New stems with fine glandular prickles
Berry red, edible, easily separates from torus. Flower similar to R. occidentalis
Rubus occidentalis
Leaf - 3-part on flowering stems, 5-part on new canes. No glandular hair anywhere
Berry to 1/2", separated cleanly from torus, burns red then purple-black, edible.
(Flowering Raspberry)
Rubus parviflorus
(Flowering Raspberry)
No prickles, leaves large and maple-like
Berry reddish-orange, hemispheric shape, fuzzy, edible but not tasty.
Rubus pubescens
Leaf with 3 parts, sharp teeth, long hairy stalk. Short plant of moist areas.
Red berry to 1/2", separates from torus with difficulty. Edible.
Rubus semisetosus. Photo Merel R. Black, Wisconsin Flora
(American Black Elderberry)
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis
Leaf - 5 to 9 leaflets, serrate edge, flower cluster flat-topped. Multiple stems to 10'
Drupes 1/4", reddish then purplish-black. Edible with boiling.
(Soapwort)
Saponaria officinalis
Leaf - opposite, elongated ovals, smooth, wavy, 3-5 prominent veins.
Silene stellata
(AKA - Widowsfrill)
Flowers with fringed petal lobes; panicle to 20", middle stem leaves whorls of 4
Bract under the panicle. One pair of opposite leaves below this, then whorls of 4.
Solanum nigrum
Leaves ovate to diamond shape, dull, a few teeth that resemble lobes
Berry 1/4". black at maturity, sepals prominent. Plant - 6-24" high.
(Long-leaved Meadowsweet)
Spiraea alba
(Long-leaved Meadowsweet)
Top section of shrub, leaves lanceolate, toothed.
(Water chickweed)
Stellaria longifolia
(Water chickweed)
Plant section and leaves.
Symphoricarpos occidentalis Hook.
Leaf - smooth, wavy edge, short green stalk, underside blue-green.
Drupe to 3/8", waxy surface, tightly clustered, not palatable.
(Heartleaf Foamflower)
Tiarella cordifolia
Leaves all basal, heart-shape base, 5 to 7 lobes, stalks have glandular hair.
Trifolium repens L.
Leaves 3-parted on long stalks. Light colored chevron may not be always visible.
Valeriana officinalis
Leaf- opposite, 7 to 25 leaflets, aromatic
Verbena urticifolia
Flowers tiny on wildly spreading branches. Stems to 6', 4-angled with hair.
Leaf opposite, lance-like, toothed, fine vein pattern
Veronicastrum virginicum
Small tubular flowers in dense spike, usually branched, atop tall stem.
Leaves in a whorl of 3 to 7, widely spaced, usually hairless.
Viburnum dentatum
Leaves opposite, sharp coarse teeth, stalked, tips pointed to rounded.
Drupes to 1/4", bluish-black at maturity, bitter, single seed. Multiple stems
Flowers Yellow to yellowish.
(Purple-stem Beggartick)
Bidens connata
Leaf simple, toothed, lance-shape, some with winged stalks; lower leaves may be 3-cleft.
6-9 yellow-grn phyllaries w/pointed tips. 2-6+ green calyculi below. No ray florets
Bidens frondosa
Leaf divided in 3 to 5 lance-shape leaflets, coarsely toothed; upper may be undivided.
6-12 pale green phyllaries w/5-10 hairy spreading calyculi below. Ray florets obscure.
(Stiff Coreopsis)
Coreopsis palmata
Stem stiff; leaf- opposite, stalkless, 3 elongated lobes that divide above the base.
8 broad pale yellow phyllaries appressed w/9-12+ narrow green calyculi below.
Crepis tectorum
Phyllaries - 12-15, whitish pointed tips, bases keeled, hairy. 6-12 calyculi below.
Plant to 40" high, stem angled, hairy, with milky juice.
Basal leaves (shown) narrow with auricles and teeth. Stem leaves stalkless.
Diervilla lonicera
Leaves opposite, flowers in small panicle at stem tip. Some flowers pink.
Geum aleppicum
Lower leaf with 2 - 6 pairs leaflets all sparsely hairy, upper leaf smaller, fewer leaflets.
Helianthus paucilflorus
Leaves opposite, lanceolate, ascending, widely spaced on stem. Disc florets reddish
Phyllaries 25-35, pointed, not spreading, margins with fine hair
Heliopsis helianthoides var. scraba
Stalked flowers from axils of stalked toothed leaves with rough surface hair.
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
Hypericum perforatum
Shrubby branching stems, narrow leaves with dots, flower with 3 styles.
Hypericum pyramidatum
Erect, 2-5’ tall, flowers 1.5” to 2.3” wide, long stalked and usually solitary.
(Pale Yellow Iris)
Iris pseudacorus
Lactuca canadensis
Leaves vary from entire, toothed, to pinnately divided, but edges NOT spiny
Upper leaves entire, clasping auricles but edges NOT spiny
Lactuca serriola
Leaf- prickles on edge and under on midrib, clasping auricles
Lilium canadense
Flowers pendant on branched array. Leaves in whorls.
Lysimachia ciliata
Leaves opposite - not in whorl, lanceolate, fine hair on stem leaf node.
(Creeping Jenny)
Lysimachia nummularia
(Creeping Jenny)
Creeping plant. Flowers solitary from leaf axil.
Lysimachia quadrifolia
Leaves in whorl of 4 or 5, flowers with fleshy red nectary in center
(Yellow Loosestrife)
Lysimachia terrestis
(Yellow Loosestrife)
Leaf - mostly stalkless, smooth, dotted
A wetland plant
Lysimachia thyrsiflora
Flowers in thyrses, leaves opposite, surfaces dotted. Wetland plant
Medicago lupulina
Flowers in dense 1/3" cluster. Leaves 3-parted. Plant scraggly.
Melilotus officinalis
Leaf- 3 parted, middle leaflet on longer stalk. Same leaf as White Sweet Clover
Plant 1 to 5' high, much branched. Same plant as White Sweet Clover
(Meadow Evening Primrose)
Oenothera pilosella
Leaves opposite, short stalks, hairy both sides and margins.
Seed pod stalk horizontal, 1-2 flowers per cluster. (Photo Merle R. Black)
Oxalis stricta
AKA - Yellow Woodsorrel
Seed pod stalk ascending, pod erect. 3-4 flowers per cluster.
Packera plattensis
Upland plant. Leaves with lobes or crenations.
Physalis heterophylla
Leaf ovate, wavy marginal teeth or entire, densely hairy.
Seeds in inflated hairy husk, closed at tip, brown at maturity.
Potentilla argentea. Photo Kitty Kohout, Wisconsin Flora
Flower petals same size as sepals. Leaves under silvery from fine hairs. Photo Kitty Kohout, Wisconsin Flora
Potentilla norvegica
AKA - Norwegian Cinquefoil.
Leaves ALL 3-parted, hairy, upper almost stalkless.
Flower sepals longer than petals. Stem 1-3' high, branched near top.
Potentilla recta
Base leaves of 5-7 leaflets, upper 3 leaflets. Sepals shorter than petals.
Plant 16-32" high, unbranched below inflorescence.
Potentilla simplex
Decumbent stems, reddish with age. Stem leaf has 5 leaflets.
Ranunculus acris
Lower leaves divided into 3 to 7 parts with deep clefts
Littleleaf Buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus
Littleleaf Buttercup
Unique basal leaves - kidney shape on long stalks.
Stem leaves have 3 to 5 lobes, usually stalkless.
Plant 8 - 20" high, branched, can tolerate standing water.
(Hispid Buttercup)
Ranunculus hispidus var. nitidus
Basal leaf - the largest, 3 parts, each part divided. Upper leaves more simple
(Blisterwort)
Ranunculus recurvatus
Leaves much the same shape, stalked, stem leaf smaller. White hair on stem.
Stem 8 to 24" high, occasionally branched, purplish appendages at base.
(Prairie Coneflower)
Ratibida columnifera
Leaf stalked, 3 to 14 lobes, gland-dotted.
Rudbeckia hirta
Stem Leaf - linear to spatula shape, rough white bristly hair, stalkless at top of stem
Phyllaries - 2 series, linear, quite long, very hairy, outer ones reflex.
(Rosin-weed)
Silphium integrifolium
(Rosin-weed) Leaves opposite, not surrounding the stem, upper & lower same size.
Phyllaries in 2-3 series, pointed spreading tips, smooth or hairy.
Taraxacum officinale
Leaves all basal, long, pinnately divided, terminal lobe larger, stalk with wings.
Yellow Goatsbeard
Tragopogon pratensis
Upper leaf short, clasping; lower backward curved.
Yellow Goatsbeard
Distinctive Tragopogon seed cluster
Verbascum thapsus
Leaves velvety arranged in spiral pattern, hooked hair on underside.
Stem 6-8' high, multiple spikes on some plants. Flowers open in spiral pattern.
(Golden Zizia)
Zizia aurea
Basal leaves 2-3 times divided on long stalks.
Flowers yellow-green, gray-green, green.
Anemone cylindrica
Both Thimbleweeds have similar basal and stem leaves.
Anemone virginiana
Aralia nudicaulis
Flowers in rounded umbels, usually 3, on separate leafless stem from the root.
Usually 3 leaves of 3-5 leaflets each, flower stem separate from base. Fruit is bluish-black drupe.
Arisaema triphyllum
3-parted leaf, facing upward. Spathe rises beneath leaves from basal leaf sheath.
Fruit cluster red at maturity, remains after leaves die. Not edible fresh.
Astragalus canadensis
Leaf compound, 15-35 leaflets, smooth edges, pointed tips on leaflets.
Boechera laevigata (Arabis laevigata)
Stem erect, stem leaves long, narrow, curling. Basal leaves obovate
(American Bittersweet)
Celastrus scandens
(American Bittersweet)
Leaves oval, smooth, sharp teeth
Fruit capsules brownish-orange, opens to 3 section red berry, not edible.
(Parasitic - no leaves)
Cuscuta gronovii
Many similar species. White petals, yellow-green calyx
Dioscorea villosa
Twining stems, tiny dioecious flowers. Upper stem leaves long-stalked
Seeds in inflated papery capsule, 3-sectioned, 2 seeds per section.
Equisetum fluviatile
Ancient plant - spore producing strobilus atop unbranched stem.
Euphorbia virgata
Leaves mostly linear with a whorl under the inflorescence.
Heuchera americana var. hirsuticaulus
Hypanthium inflated 3 to 7.2 mm above the ovary and weakly bilaterally symmetric.
To 3' tall. Stalked basal leaves only, stalks dense with stipitate-glandular hair
(Canadian Wood Nettle)
Laportea canadensis
Leaf- alternate, long-stalk, oval. coarse teeth, upper surface crinkled dk green
Lemna minor
AKA - Common Duckweed
Each frond has single root dangling under. Plants usually in clusters up to 5+
Lepidium densiflorum
Dense spike, flowers w/no petals or petals shorted than sepals. Pods oval, notched.
Leaf toothed, not clasping, lower may be pinnate. Thin short hair on 8-20" stem
Plantago major L.
Flowers tiny on spike. Leaves in basal rosette.
(Smooth Solomon's Seal)
Polygonatum biflorum
Stems arching, unbranched, flowers pendant, leaves stalkless
Berries 14/"+, dark blue to black, pendant, not edible.
Rhus aromatica
Leaf has 3 stalked leaflets variable in shape, aromatic when crushed.
Drupes to 1/4" densely hairy. Not edible without special preparation.
Rhus glabra
Twigs smooth & spotted, no hair. Flower cluster more open than Staghorn.
Leaf - 11-31 leaflets; leaf rachis without hair. Stems 10-15' high.
Drupes red, hairy, 1/8 to 1/4" diameter. Not edible without special preparation.
Rhus hirta
Twigs with dense fine hair. Flower cluster more closed than Smooth Sumac.
Leaf - 9-29 leaflets, rachis with hair. Stems to 35' when growing as a tree.
Drupes red at maturity, hairy, 1/8 to 1/4" diameter. Not edible without special preparation.
Rumex crispus
Leaves lance-shape, curly but smooth edge, dull green.
Sparganium eurycarpum. Photo Josh Sulman, Wisconsin Flora
(Purple Meadow Rue)
Thalictrum dasycarpum
Male flowers shown.
3-5' tall, plants dioecious, flowers in compound panicle of many branches.
Stem leaves sparse, stalkless, hairy beneath, longer than wide.
(Western Poison Ivy)
Toxicodendron rydbergii
(Western Poison Ivy)
Leaf- 3 widely oval leaflets with pointed tip, hairless, shiny dark green, bronze when new.
Berry dull ivory in Fall with red leaves if in full sun. All toxic.
Flowers blue, bluish and bluish-pink
(Anise Hyssop)
Agastache foeniculum
Flower calyx blue to purplish, corolla lighter, verticillaster arrangement
Leaf opposite, triangular, upper leaves more narrow. Anise scent when crushed.
Amorpha canescens
Leaf pinnate, 13-25 pairs leaflets, gray hair underside.
Amsonia tabernaemontana
Leaves narrow and pointed, deep green.
(Blue Wild Indigo)
Baptisia australis
Leaf tri-foliate. Leaflets with blunt tip, smooth edges.
Pods black at maturity, held upright, inflated, kidney shape brown seeds.
Blephilia cilata
Leaf- upper lance shape, lower ovate, coarse teeth, fine hair on edge and under, aromatic.
(Hoary Wood Mint)
Blephilia hirsuta
Leaf - More egg shaped, a few coarse teeth, hairy surfaces and margin, long hair on stem
(Bristly Bluebells)
Campanula cervicaria
Flowers in separated clusters on hairy stem, stem leaves narrow lance shape, wavy, hairy.
(Rampion Bellflower)
Campanula rapunculoides
Lower leaves stalked, heart-shape base, upper stalkless.
(American Bellflower)
Campanulastrum americanum
Flowers in tall spike, pale nectar ring in center. Stem not branched.
Upper leaves lance-shape, lower oval, toothed edges
Cichorium intybus
Basal leaf long with sharp dentations, stalked.
Stem leaf short, stalkless with clasping auricle; may have fine teeth.
Epilobium ciliatum ssp. glandulosum
(American Willowherb - leaves oval to lance-like)
Epilobium coloratum
Leaf oblong, toothed edges, sometimes purplish in Autumn
(Eastern Waterleaf)
Hydrophyllum virginianum
Leaves stalked, 3 - 7 lobes, larger have tip and base lobes separated.
Iris versicolor
Lupinus perennis
Leaves divided into 7 - 11 leaflets, smooth edges,
Myosotis scorpioides
Stems thin, leaf stalkless, one center vein, hair on margins.
Pediomelum argophyllum
Leaf - 3 to 5 leaflets with whitish appressed hair.
Phlox divaricata
Leaves opposite, sparse, clasping, fine hair, no teeth.
(Greek Valerian)
Polemonium reptans
Plant under 20 inches high, leaf- 7-17 leaflets, smooth edges, frequently reclining.
Scutellaria galericulata.
Petals curved. (Photo Aaron Carlson)
Flowers mostly solitary from leaf axils. Leaves barely stalked. 6-32" high. (photo Chris Noll)
Scutellaria lateriflora
(Blue Skullcap) Petals barely curved. (Photo Chris Noll)
Flowers in racemes from leaf axils, leaves stalked, stem 12-28" high. (Photo Chris Noll)
(Ohio Spiderwort)
Tradescantia ohiensis
Leaves flat, sheath at stem.
(Swamp Vervain)
Verbena hastata
Leaf lance-like, coarse teeth, underside with whitish hair, lower leaves have a pair of basal lobes.
Viola pedatifida
Photo Christopher Noll, Wisconsin Flora
Leaf pinnately divided. Stemless. Flower bearded with white throat patches.
Flowers pink, pinkish, rosy, pink-purplish, deep purple.
Allium canadense
Flowering begins when pale sheath opens. Not all bulbils will flower.
Leaves rise from stem base, are flat with a keel. Flowering scape to 24" high.
Amorpha canescens
Leaf pinnate, 13-25 pairs leaflets, gray hair underside.
(Canadian Wild Ginger)
Asarum canadense
Leaves - 2 per plant, hairy stalks and underside, up to 6” wide. Stem prostrate.
Asclepias incarnata
Leaves stalkless to clasping, smooth both sides. Flower umbel erect.
Slender pods held erect on erect stalks. Brown at maturity.
Asclepias syriaca
Leaves ovate, hairy underside, prominent rib. Umbel nodding.
Pods held erect on downward curving stalks. Warty exterior.
Blephilia cilata
Leaf- upper lance shape, lower ovate, coarse teeth, fine hair on edge and under, aromatic.
(Hoary Wood Mint)
Blephilia hirsuta
Leaf - More egg shaped, a few coarse teeth, hairy surfaces and margin, long hair on stem
Centaurea stoebe
Photos Merle R. Black, Wisconsin Flora
Leaves deeply lobed, phyllaries with black tips.
Chamerion angustifolium
Stem erect 4-6' high; Leaves 5x long as wide, smooth, almost stalkless.
Lateral veins join a loop vein on leaf margin.
Cirsium arvense
Deep indentations on leaf, hard needle-like prickles on margins. Stem 1-4' high.
Flw. head to 1/2” wide, phyllaries tightly appressed, spreading tips, no spines.
Cypripedium reginae
Flowers 1 to 3 on hairy 2' stems. Leaves numerous - clasp stem.
Dalea purpurea
Leaf compound, small, 3-9 leaflets with gland dots.
Desmodium glutinosum
Leaves in cluster on upper stem, 3-parted, leaflets oval, with pointed tip. Stem 1-4' high
Inflorescence tall, branched, the whorl-like leaf cluster is at inflorescence base.
Diervilla lonicera
(Most flowers are yellow.)
Leaves opposite, flowers in small panicle at stem tip.
Digitalis lanata
Leaves linear with hair near purplish stem.
Epilobium coloratum
Leaf oblong, toothed edges, sometimes purplish in Autumn
Euonymus atropurpureus
Leggy shrub, flower clusters tiny, rising from the leaf axils. Leaves oblong, fine teeth.
Mature capsules red, to 1/2" wide. 3 or 4 lobes. Beautiful but toxic.
Filipendula rubra
Leaf -up to 7 separated lobed leaflets on reddish stem, terminal leaflet with 7-9 lobes.
(Spotted Geranium)
Geranium maculatum
Basal leaves palmately divided, 5 - 7 lobes. Pair small leaves on flower stem.
(Sweet Rocket)
Hesperis matronalis
Leaves alternate, lance-shape, toothed. Flowers in loose terminal cluster.
Plants have pink or white flowers. stem little branched, fine hair, 2-5' high
(Veiny Vetchling)
Lathyrus venosus
Leaf 8 to 12 leaflets with tendril, leaflets asymmetric.
Leaf stipule 2-lobed, arrow shape, clasps stem, 2 lobes only.
Pods resemble garden peas, but flat, not inflated.
Leonurus cardiaca
Lower leaves 5-lobed, middle 3-lobed, upper entire.
Mentha arvensis
To 2-1/2' high, little branching,no flowers on TOP of 4-angled stem.
Leaves opposite, stalked, toothed. Flowers pink to white in verticillasters
(Wild Four O'clock)
Mirabilis nyctaginea
Leaves paired, oval, heart-shape base. Flowers above a star-shaped cup.
Monarda media
Leaves opposite, stalked, grayish-green, triangular base.
(Large-flowered Beardtongue)
Penstemon grandiflorus
Leaves opposite, stalkless to clasping, thick fleshy, waxy look.
Phlox pilosa
Leaves less than 1/2” wide, stems with fine whitish hair, flowers in branched clusters.
Rosa acicularlis
Stems branched, densely prickled near base, leaflets 5-9, flowers solitary.
Rosa arkansana
9-11 leaflets, many lower stem prickles, little branching, flws in clusters of 2-3
Rosa blanda
5-7 leaflets, few stem prickles, short plant, branched, flws usually in clusters.
(Carolina Rose)
Rosa carolina
Glandular hair on sepals and flower stalks. Leaflets 5 to 7(9), unbranched, flws solitary
Rosa setigera
Leaf of 3 leaflets, stems arching, vine-like, flws in clusters.
Rosa woodsii
Tallest rose, stems reddish, curved prickles (not dense), leaflets 5-9, flws 1 or 1-3
(Soapwort)
Saponaria officinalis
Leaf - opposite, elongated ovals, smooth, wavy, 3-5 prominent veins.
Scrophularia lanceolata
Stems with flat sides, erect, flowers in open widely branched panicle.
Leaves stalked, lance-shaped, dbl-tooth margins, base never heart-shaped
(Bittersweet Nightshade)
Solanum dulcamara
Leaf - 1 large terminal lobe and 2 to 4 smaller lobes. Stalk forms a small wing.
berries red at maturity, 1/4", toxic to children. Vine without tendrils
Symphoricarpos albus
Leaves opposite, simple, oval, blunt ends. Flowers in cluster at twig tip.
Drupes white, round to 3/8", waxy surface. Not palatable.
Tradescantia bracteata
(Leaves flat, linear, 8-10x long as wide.)
2 long green leaf-like bracts spread horizontal under flowers. Stem 8-24" high.
Trifolium pratense
leaf 3-parted, blunt oval shape, hairy edges, lighter color chevron, large stipule.
Verbena stricta
Leaf - sharp coarse teeth, short stalk, underside with fine whitish hair.
Vicia americana
Leaf - 8-16 leaflets, 1 - 3 branching tendrils at leaf tip.
Stipule pairs pointed with 3 sharp teeth in middle of each
Pods resemble garden pea pods but flat with 2+ brown seeds.
Flowers reddish, orangish and brownish
(Red Columbine)
Aquilegia canadensis
Leaves divided into 3-leaflet groups, each leaflet cleft at tips.
Cuscuta gronovii
Parasitic - no leaves. Many similar species. White petals, yellow-green calyx
Hemerocallis fulva
Hieracium aurantiacum
Leaves all basal, elongated, no lobes or teeth, very hairy.
13=30 phyllaries in 2 series, hairy, some glandular.
Lilium michiganense
Flowers pendant from tall stem, no green star inside throat, stamens diverge widely close to throat.
Leaves in whorls; L. superbum 3-9+ per whorl, L. michiganense 3-7.
Lilium philadelphicum
Leaf whorl at top of stem, most leaves alternate below.
Lilium superbum
Flowers pendant from tall stem, green star inside throat, stamens together, spreading near anthers.
Leaves in whorls; L. superbum 3-9+ per whorl, L. michiganense 3-7.
Rhododendron calendulaceum
Leaves elliptical, thick, leathery, dark green
Triosteum perfoliatum
Leaves egg shape, appear connected at stem. Flowers in leaf axils.
Drupes 1/3 to 1/2" with sepals persistent.
(Gap between brown flw sections)
Typha angustifolia
(Broadleaf Cattail)
(No gap between brown flw sections)
Typha latifolia
Other thumbnail pages
Garden Plant Photo Identification Booklet