Late Spring Flowers of Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Presented by The Friends of the Wild Flower Garden
Thumbnails of some of the late spring flowering plants that you may encounter on a visit - Early May to Mid-June. This page should keep you going until mid-June, then everything in the Upland breaks loose. Alternate common names for plant are shown in ( ), woody plants designated by "*". Timing of spring 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.
Printable PDF File in Scientific Name Order within Color. Prints at 11 high by 8.5 inches wide, 20 images per page, 23 pages total:
Low resolution - 4.2mb - - - Hi resolution 31.2mb. Best for printing.
Flowers white and whitish
Flowers in pyramidal cluster
Actaea pachypoda
Berry stalks thick and red. Toxic.
Flowers in more domed cluster
Actaea rubra
Much the same on both species.
Red berry form, berry stalks thin, not red. Toxic.
White berry form, berry stalks thin, not red. Toxic.
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.
Amelanchier alnifolia
Leaf- teeth in the upper half, no hair at flowering, rounded tip.
Pomes to 1/2", fleshy, red to purple-black, edible.
Amelanchier arborea
Leaf has fine teeth, bronze and hairy at flowering time, pointed tip.
Pomes to 3/8", fleshy, with 8 - 10 seeds, edible
Anemone canadensis
Upper stem leaves stalkless, basal look the same, but on long stalks.
Anemone quinquefolia
Antennaria neglecta
Aronia melanocarpa
(Photinia melanocarpa)
Leaf cluster near end of twig; Fine teeth; midrib has stiff red glands.
Pomes purplish-black, to 1/3", juicy astringent, edible after cooking.
Boechera laevigata (Arabis laevigata)
Stem erect, stem leaves long, narrow, curling. Basal leaves obovate
(Water Arum)
Calla palustris
Fruit reddish, toxic when fresh. Flower stalk single, shorter than leaves
Cardamine concatenata
Stem leaves divided into 3 deeply lobed toothed leaflets such that they appear to be 5 lobed leaflets.
Cardamine diphylla
Stems have two leaf stalks, opposite, leaves with 3 lobes, not so deeply cut.
(Pennsylvania Bitter Cress)
Cardamine pensylvanica.
Terminal leaflet largest. Stem leaf shown. Lower leaf has wider leaflets.
Cerastium fontanum ssp. vulgare
Short plant. Leaves opposite, stalked, fine hair. Flowers - 5 cleft petals
Claytonia virginica L.
Flowers in loose cluster. Basal leaves long & narrow. One pair per stem.
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.
(Alternate-leaf Dogwood)
(Flowers - flat-top clusters)
Cornus alternifolia
Leaf alternate, ovate, glossy, prominent veins. Branches tiered like a temple.
Drupes 1/4", dark blue, stalks reddish, not edible. Flowers in flat-top clusters.
(found in moist areas)
Cornus obliqua
Leaves opposite, stalks with fine hair, pale underside, multi-stem, 3 to 10'
Drupes 1/3",= dark blue, green stalks, not edible. Flowers in branched cluster
(Stems red Fall to Spring.)
Cornus sericea
Leaves opposite, entire, whitish beneath, fine hair on top.
Drupes turn whitish-lead color with pale red stalks, not edible
Enemion biternatum
Flowers rise from leaf axils. Leaves 2-3 parted. Early Spring bloom.
(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.
(White Fawn Lily)
Erythronium albidum
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
(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
Kalmia latifolia Jeff McMillian, USDA-NRCS Plants Database
Kalmia latifolia
Lathyrus ochroleucus
Leaf- 3 to 5+pairs leaflets, tendril at tip, green before flowering.
(flowers white to pink)
Lonicera tatarica
Maianthemum racemosum
Top section of plant. Flowers at tip
Berries red or mottled red in Autumn. Not considered edible.
Maianthemum stellatum
Leaves alternate, smooth, stalkless. Starry flowers in narrow terminal spike.
Berry red in Autumn with darker stripes. Not edible. Arching stem to 24" long
(Common Moonseed)
Menispermum canadense
Leaf large, broad, ovate, shallowly lobed. Flowers small, bell-shaped.
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.
(Smooth Sweet Cicely)
Osmorhiza longistylis
Leaf 2x divided, minor hair. 3-5+ umbellets of 6-16 flowers, styles longer than petals.
Plant 2 to 4 foot, some branching, smooth or with hair. Stem reddish.
(Tall Penstemon)
Penstemon digitalis
Stalkless leaf, shiny, fine teeth, lance shape. Stem smooth.
Philadelphus sp.
Leaves opposite, light green, flowers in clusters at tips of twigs.
Podophyllum peltatum
(American Plum)
Prunus americana
Drupe oblong to 1" diameter, yellow to red at maturity. Edible.
Prunus virginiana
Leaf- Oval, fine teeth, pale under, small glands on leaf stalk.
Drupes 1/3", deep red to dark purplish black. Edible but pit is toxic.
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.
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
Sambucus racemosa
Flower cluster domed, leaf with 5 - 7 leaflets, serrate edges. Leaves appear with the flowers.
Drupes small, not palatable to humans. Shrub stems 6 - 12'
Staphylea trifolia
Leaf - 3 ovate shiny leaflets, fine teeth, lateral leaflets not stalked
1 - 4 seeds inside inflated 3-angled papery pod. Shrub has multiple stems to 15'.
(Heartleaf Foamflower)
Tiarella cordifolia
Leaves all basal, heart-shape base, 5 to 7 lobes, stalks have glandular hair.
Trillium cernuum
Flower nods beneath the 3 bracts. Green sepals reflexed backward.
(Nodding Wakerobin)
Trillium flexipes
Flower droops but remains above bracts. Green sepals partly reflexed
(White Trillium)
Trillium grandiflorum
Largest flower of white trilliums, erect, facing outward. Pink with age.
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
Viburnum lentago
Leaf- egg shape, fine teeth, in opposite pairs, stalks reddish with small wings.
Drupes to 1/8", oval, bluish-black, red stalks, not palatable. Stems to 20'
(American Cranberrybush)
Viburnum opulus var. americanum
(Moist area plant)
Leaf 3-lobed, coarse teeth, small stalked glands on leaf stalk. Flowers similar to European Cranberry.
Drupes to 1/3", deep red in Autumn, acidic but edible.
Viburnum opulus
Leaf 3-lobed, with a few coarse teeth, small unstalked glands on leaf stalk. Flowers similar to Highbush Cranberry.
Drupes to 1/4", deep red in Autumn, not good for cooking. Shrub stems multiple to 10'.
Yellow tinting at petal base
Viola canadensis
Leaves basal & stem, heart shape base, veins patterned. Basal on long stalks.
Flowers Yellow to yellowish.
(Cowslip)
Caltha palustris
Leaves basal & stem, heart shaped, basal on long stalks. Soft hair under
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens
Diervilla lonicera
Leaves opposite, flowers in small panicle at stem tip. Some flowers pink.
(Dogtooth Violet)
Erythronium americanum
Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus
A wetland plant
Lysimachia thyrsiflora
Flowers in thyrses, leaves opposite, surfaces dotted. Wetland plant
Packera aurea
Wetland plant. Leaves lobed, lower leaves longer and larger
Packera plattensis
Upland plant. Leaves with lobes or crenations.
Potentilla simplex
Decumbent stems, reddish with age. Stem leaf has 5 leaflets.
Littleleaf Buttercup
Ranunculus abortivus
Littleleaf Buttercup
Unique basal leaves - kedney shape on long stalks.
Stem leaves have 3 to 5 lobes, usual;ly stalkless.
Plant 8 - 20" high, branched, can tolerate standing water.
Ranunculus acris
Lower leaves divided into 3 to 7 parts with deep clefts
(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.figcaption.
Stem 8 to 24" high, occasionally branched, purplish appendages at base.
Ribes missouriense
Leaf - 3 to 5 palmate toothed lobes. Base straight to slightly heart-shaped.
Berry turns from green to dull reddish-purple, without prickles.
Stylophorum diphyllum
Leaves - rounded lobes, deeply divided, pinnatifid, most basal.
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
(Yellow Wakerobin)
Trillium luteum
Some flowers will be yellow-green in color.
Uvularia grandiflora
Leaves pierced by stem, flower stem nods downward. Tepals twisted.
Viola pubescens
Flower solitary from upper leaf axil. Leaves basal and stem.
(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
Usually 3 leaves of 3-5 leaflets each, flower stem separate from base. Fruie is bluish-black drupe.
Flowers in rounded umbels, usually 3, on separate leafless stem from the root.
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.
Caulophyllum thalictroides
Leaf - 3 to 4 3-parted sections, each section with 3 parts (27 leaflets per leaf)
Berries fleshy, 1/3" blue to very dark blue with bloom. Not edible.
(American Bittersweet)
Celastrus scandens
(American Bittersweet)
Leaves oval, smooth, sharp teeth
Fruit capsules brownish-orange, opens to 3 section red berry, not edible.
Comptonia peregrina
Leaves long, narrow, lobed, gland-dotted, plant monoecious. Female flower shown.
Nutlets ovoid, 1/4" long, shiny brown.
(Male Catkins)
Corylus americana
(Female flowers)
Male flowers in hanging catkins, female is small buds - both before the leaves.
Leaves oval, double-toothed, dark green, pale under, hairy stiff stalk
1/2" edible brown nut develops in hairy husk, 2 to 5 per cluster
Euonymus obovata. Creeping woodland ground cover. Photo John Zaborsky, Wisconsin Flora
Pale green 1/3" flowers from leaf axils. Fruit pink. Photo Greg Vaclavek, Wisconsin Flora
Equisetum fluviatile
Ancient plant - spore producing strobilus atop unbranched stem.
Euphorbia virgata
Leaves mostly linear with a whorl under the inflorescence.
Hydrastis canadensis
Two stem leaves, upper stalkless, lower stalked below solitary flower.
Flower without petals. Berries red, short beak, tight cluster, not edible.
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
Micranthes pensylvanica [Saxifraga pensylvanica]
Hairy lance-shape leaves all basal. Flower stalk with glandular hair, up to 3 feet high.
Lemna minor
AKA - Common Duckweed
Each frond has single root dangling under. Plants usually in clusters up to 5+
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Only Creeper has attachment pads
(Grape Woodbine)
Parthenocissus vitacea
Inflorescence has stem split into 2 or 3 branches.
Leaf more glossty than Virginia Creeper.
Berries resemble small wild grapes, much larger than those of Virginia Creeper, Stalks reddish
(Smooth Solomon's Seal)
Polygonatum biflorum
Stems arching, unbranched, flowers pendant, leaves
Berries 14/"+, dark blue to black, pendant, not edible.
Rhamnus cathartica
Leaf with marginal teeth, flowers in tight cluster.
Drupes blue-black, 1/4", juicy, 3-4 seeds per drupe. Not edible.
Rhamnus frangula
Leaf - no marginal teeth. Flowers in loose cluster
Drupes green, then reddish, then black, juicy, not palatable.
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.
(Wild Black Currant)
Ribes americanum
(Wild Black Currant)
Leaf- 3 to 5 toothed lobes, main veins from base. Underside with visible yellow glands.
Berry ovoid, smooth, thin skin, black at maturity. Edible when cooked.
Ribes cynosbati
Ribes cynosbati
Leaf - 3-5 indented toothed lobes, heart-shaped base, stem and underside hairy.
Berry dull reddish at maturity, 1/3", soft prickles, edible.
Ribes rubrum
Leaf similar to Black Currant.
Leaf 3-7 toothed lobes (Mostly 5 lobes), no glands on surface.
Fruit red at maturity, thin skin, juicy, edible. Plant 2 - 4' high.
Smilax ecirrhata
Erect, no prickles, flowers in ball-like umbel from bracts on stem below leaves
Leaves on upper 1/2 to 2/3rds of stem, widely oval.
Berries blue-black at maturity, 3/8", not palatable.
Smilax lasioneura.
Flowers in long-stalked umbels from the leaf axils. Berries same as upright.
Vining to 7', no prickles, leaves evenly distributed on stem.
Berries 3/8", blue-black, not palatable.
(Bristly Greenbrier)
Smilax tamnoides. Photo Emmett J. Judziewicz, Wisconsin Flora.
Sparganium eurycarpum. Photo Josh Sulman, Wisconsin Flora
Thalictrum dioicum
Thalictrum venulosum
Leaves of Early & Veiny similar. Early-flower anthers yellowish, Veiny-more purplish.
(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.
(Yellow Wakerobin)
Trillium luteum
Some flowers more yellow-green in color.
Vitis riparia
leaf 3-lobed, coarse teeth, pale green. Young stems yellowish to reddish.
Berries 1/4 - 3/8", whitish bloom on bluish-black. Edible.
Zanthoxylum americanum
Leaves pinnate, 5 - 11 leaflets, twigs aromatic with prickles. Thorns on twigs.
Seed capsules red at maturity, contain 1 black oily seed.
Flowers blue, bluish and bluish-pink
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.
Glechoma hederacea
Stems creeping. Leaves longstalked, coarse teeth, gland dotted
(Eastern Waterleaf)
Hydrophyllum virginianum
Leaves stalked, 3 - 7 lobes, larger have tip and base lobes separated.
Mertensia virginica
Leaves basal & stem, elliptical, smooth, basal larger & floppy.
Myosotis scorpioides
Stems thin, leaf stalkless, one center vein, hair on margins.
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.
Scilla siberica
(Running Myrtle)
Vinca Minor
Creeping stems, leaves glossy, evergreen, flowers solitary.
Viola pedatifida. Photo Chris Noll, Wisconsin Flora.
Leaf pinnately divided. Stemless. Flower bearded with white throat patches.
Viola sororia
Stemless, Leaves ovate to heart shape. Lateral petals bearded.
Viola sororia forma priceana. Considered a color variation - leaf the same.
Flowers pink, pinkish, rosy, pink-purplish, deep purple.
(Canadian Wild Ginger)
Asarum canadense
Leaves - 2 per plant, hairy stalks and underside, up to 6” wide. Stem prostrate.
Corydalis solida
Leaf pinnate, deeply cleft, dense, terminal lobe with crenations
Cypripedium reginae
Diervilla lonicera
(Most flowers are yellow)
Leaves opposite, flowers in small panicle at stem tip. Some flowers pink.
(Pride of Ohio)
Dodecatheon media
Flowering scape held above basal rosette of oblong leaves.
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.
(Spotted Geranium)
Geranium maculatum
Basal leaves palmately divided, 5 - 7 lobes. Pair small leaves on flower stem.
(Sweet Rocket)
Hesperis matronalis
(Sweet Rocket)
Leaves alternate, lance-shape, toothed. Flowers in loose terminal cluster.
Plants have pink or white flowers. stem little branched, fine hair, 2-5' high
xheucherella tiarelloides
Garden hybrid with Foam Flower; more pinkish color. leaves all basal in a clump.
(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
Top section of plant, leaves lobed lower on plant.
Lower leaves 5-lobed, middle 3-lobed, upper entire.
Lonicera dioica
(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
Scrophularia lanceolata
Stems with flat sides, erect, flowers in open widely branched panicle.
Leaves stalked, lance-shaped, dbl-tooth margins, base never heart-shaped
Thalictrum thalictroides
Flowers rise from stem, not from leaf axils. Leaf-like bracts directly under flowers
Trifolium pratense
leaf 3-parted, blunt oval shape, hairy edges, lighter color chevron, large stipule.
Trillium cuneatum
Leaflet to 6" wide, flower to 3" high.
Trillium cuneatum
Sweet Betsy and Toadshade have similar but different size leaves - no leaflet stalks.
Trillium erectum
Flower facing outward, color variable, petals & sepals of equal length.
Trillium recurvatum
Flower erect, petals not spreading, green sepals hang dowward.
Trillium sessile
Leaflets to 3" wide, flower to 1.5" high.
Sweet Betsy
Sweet Betsy and Toadshade have similar but different size leaves - no leaflet stalks.
(Sissileleaf Bellwort)
Uvularia sessilifolia
Leaves clasp, but don’t pierce stem. Flower solitary, drooping, tepals flare at tip.
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, brown.
(Red Columbine)
Aquilegia canadensis
Leaves divided into 3-leaflet groups, each leaflet cleft at tips.
(Female flowers)
Male flowers in hanging catkins, female is small buds - both before the leaves.
Leaves oval, double-toothed, dark green, pale under, hairy stiff stalk
1/2" edible brown nut develops in hairy husk, 2 to 5 per cluster
(Old Man's Whiskers)
Geum triflorum
seed head stage
Geum triflorum
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.
