Late Summer Flowers of Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
Presented by The Friends of the Wildflower Garden
Thumbnails of some of the late summer flowering plants you may encounter on a visit - Mid-July to September 1st. 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, 31 pages total: Low resolution - 5.6 mb - - - Hi resolution 42.2 mb. 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.
Ageratina altissima
Leaves egg shape, stalked, coarsely toothed.
Alisma triviale
Leaves all basal, flowers in whorls of 3
Allium cernuum
(buds and open flowers nodding)
Leaves all basal, forming vase shape. Flower stem rises from bulb. Pink flowers also.
Allium stellatum
(Buds nod; Open flowers are erect)
Amphicarpaea bracteata
Some flowers have lavender tint.
Leaf 3-parted on long stalk. Flower cluster rises from leaf axil.
Pods flat, pointed on end, usually 3 seed. Bean-like edible seed in shallow ground
Aralia racemosa
Drupes dark purple or reddish-brown in Autumn. Not edible.
Flowers whitish-green. Leaves are twice compound, 2+ feet long and wide.
Leaflets oval, heart-shape base, abrupt tip. Plat 2-7' high
(Prairie Sage)
Artemisia ludoviciana
Erect, all parts with dense matted white to grayish hair. Leaf - narrow, no teeth.
Asclepias verticillata
Slender pods are held erect on an erect stalk. Brown at maturity.
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.
Calystegia sepium
Twining vine. Leaf arrowhead shape. 2 cup bracts at base of flower.
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
(White Turtlehead)
Chelone glabra
Stems multiple, branched at top. Leaf 6x long as wide, toothed.
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
(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
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.
Doellingeria umbellata var. pubens
leaf- linear, smooth, no teeth, stem red lower.
Phyllaries 3-4 series, unequal, light green, linear, short stiff hair
(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.
Eryngium yuccifolium
(AKA - Rattlesnake Master)
Erect 1-5' stem, unbranched below inflorescence. Leaves alternate, stiff, spiny edges.
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Flowers grouped in branching clusters, each flower with 7-11 florets.
Leaves opposite with hairy surfaces, surround hairy 1 - 5' stem
Euphorbia corollata
Main stem unbranched, many flowering branches above the upper stem whorl
Eurybia divaricata
Large, toothed, long stalk, heart base. Flowers in branched cluster.
Phyllaries 25-20 in 4 to 5 series, unequal, rounded to pointed, whitish, dk green tips.
(Bigleaf Aster)
Eurybia macrophylla
Flowers white to blue.
(Bigleaf Aster)
Basal leaves large, broadly oval, long stalked, heart shape bases
(Bigleaf Aster)
Phyllaries 5-6 series, 32 to 35, overlapping, oft purple tinged, short glandular hair.
Filipendula ulmaria
Leaf - 2-4 pair of lateral leaflets, terminal leaflet has 3-7 lobes.
Galium asprellum
stems -Many branches, stems prickly on the 4 angles, leaves whorl of 6 -rough. Flower cluster much branched.
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.
Gaura biennis
Tall, erect; leaf alternate, stalkless, flowers in clusters.
(Yellowish Gentian)
Gentiana alba (Gentiana flavida)
(Yellowish Gentian)
Leaves opposite, stalkless, yellow-green; several form a whorl below flowers
(Beggar's Lice)
Hackelia virginiana
Erect biennial. Stem stout not slender. Flowers tiny on paired spreading branches.
Larger ovate lower leaves, uppers narrow, stalkless. Plant 1-4' high.
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
(Round-headed Lespedeza)
Lespedeza capitata
Leaf-3 parted, pointing upward, dense appressed hairs, bristle leaflet tips.
Erect to leaning, 2-4' high, unbranched. Flowers in dense rounded clusters.
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.
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
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
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
Persicaria punctata
Flowers in interrupted fascicles. Leaves 8x long as wide.
Phryma leptostachya
Leaves opposite, spaced, long stalks. Flowers in terminal spikes.
Persicaria sagittata
Leaves arrow-shape, midrib, underside and stem with retrorse prickles.
Phlox paniculata
Leaves opposite, usually stalkless, prominent lateral veins joining at tip.
Pycnanthemum virginianum
Plant is 1 - 3 feet tall, small opposite lance shape leaves, sweetly aromatic.
Sagittaria latifolia
Leaves basal, large. Leafless flower stem, flowes in whorls of 3
(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 orbiculatus
Flowers white to pinkish
Leaf- elliptical, wavy edges, short reddish stalks, reddish stem.
Drupes ovoid to 1/4", very tightly clustered, beak at tip, not palatable.
(Flowers are white or lt. blue)
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Flowers white to blue
(Common Blue Wood Aster)
Lower leaves- heart shape base, large teeth, upper leaves more oval.
Phyllaries - 4 to 6 series, unequal, linear to oblong, whitish with green diamond stripe
(Many-flowered Aster)
Symphyotrichum ericoides
Leaves small, narrow .5 to 1.5” long, rough edge
Phyllaries - 3-4 series, overlapping, unequal size, spade-like tips, hairy.
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum
Leaf - linear, smooth, stalkless. Dead leaves curled up
Phyllaries - 2-4 series, linear, outer 1/3 to 1/2 length of inner, dk green center stripes
(Calico Aster)
Symphyotrichum lateriflorum
Leaves oval to rounded, upper mostly stalkless, lower stalked, few sharp teeth
Phyllaries - 3 - 4 series, unequal in size, diamond shape tips, sometimes purplish
Symphyotrichum ontarionis
Leaf - alternate, thin, smooth to touch, upper stalkless
Phyllaries 4-6 series, unequal, narrow, green mid-rib with diamond tip
Symphyotrichum puniceum
Stems ribbed, reddish above nodes, very little hair, leaves shiny when young
Phyllaries 4-5 series, linear, hard to distinguish from Glossy Leaf Aster
Symphyotrichum urophyllum
Middle leaves arrow shape base, Lower - heart shaped base, often winged stalk
Phyllaries - 4 - 6 series, inner tight, outer spreading, tip a grn elongated diamond.
Teucrium canadense
Leaves opposite, toothed, deep vein pattern. Flower upper lips held erect.
Stem hollow, 4-angled, unbranched to 3' high, densely hairy.
(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.
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.
Yellow Flowers
Agastache nepetoides
(AKA - Cattail Giant Hyssop)
Leaves opposite, stalked, thin, coarse teeth, lanceolate.
Plant to 5' high, stout grooved stem, not hairy. Flowers green to yellow.
(Downy Agrimony)
Agrimonia pubescens
Lower leaf - 5-13 leaflets, largest at tip, minor leaflets in between. Hairy.
Leaf stipule has pointed teeth all around the stem. Hypanthium turbinate
(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 calycule 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.
Chamaecrista fasciculata
Plant annual. Leaf with 8-15 pair leaflets tipped
Conyza canadensis
Lower leaves toothed, 8x long as wide, all with white marginal hair.
Top section of plant, much branching, leaves linear & dense.
(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
Erechtites hieraciifolius
top section of plant.
Leaves lobed or coarsely toothed, auricle at base. Very leafy stem.
Euthamia graminifolia
Leaves linear, ascending 7-20x long as wide. Flowers in clusters. Stem 1-4' high.
Phyllaries appressed in several series, yellowish base, green tips.
Helenium autumnale
Leaves irregular small teeth, gland dotted. Flowers in clusters.
Stems 2-6 feet, angular, wings on angles from leaf above.
Helianthus giganteus
Leaf 3x long as wide, smooth margin or a few teeth. Opposite.
Phyllaries 20-35, spreading, hairy, long pointed tip.
(Hairy Sunflower)
Helianthus hirsutus
Leaves opposite, rounded bases on very short stalks. Flowers few & on thick stalks
Phyllaries 18-25, loose and spreading, hair on margins or entire surface
Helianthus paucilflorus
Leaves opposite, lanceolate, ascending, widely spaced on stem. Disc florets reddish
Phyllaries 25-35, pointed, not spreading, margins with fine hair
Helianthus strumosus
Leaf- rough, thick, 3 main veins, winged stalk, white hair under.
Phyllaries - 18-25, pointed, slightly spreading, hair on margins
Helianthus tuberosus
Stout plant. Leaves - upper 2/3 rds alternate, rough on top with long winged stalks
Phyllaries dark green to blackish, spreading tips, hairy
Heliopsis helianthoides var. scraba
Stalked flowers from axils of stalked toothed leaves with rough surface hair.
(Canada Hawkweed)
Hieracium umbellatum
Flowers- long stalked heads in loose branched clusters. Leaves sparse with a few sharp teeth.
Phyllaries 12-21+, linear, pointed tips. Thin calyculi below. Stems to 5' tall
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 Jewelweed)
Impatiens pallida
Both 2-5' high, leaves thin, coarse teeth.
(Spotted Jewelweed)
Impatiens capensis
Lactuca canadensis
Lower leaves toothed, pinnately divided, but edges NOT spiny
Upper leaves entire, clasping auricles but edges NOT spiny
Lactuca serriola
Flowers in branched array, toothed tips on ray florets. Stems 1-5' tall
Leaf- prickles on edge and under on midrib, clasping auricles
Linaria vulgaris
Leaves alternate, linear, short. Flowers on compact spike
Lysimachia ciliata
Leaves opposite - not in whorl, lanceolate, fine hair on stem leaf node.
Lysimachia quadrifolia
Leaves in whorl of 4 or 5, fleshy red nectary in corolla.
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
Oenothera biennis
Leaves lance-like, slight teeth, edges turn more wavy & darker green with age
(Meadow Evening Primrose)
Oenothera pilosella
Leaves opposite, short stalks, hairy both sides and margins.
Oxalis dillenii.
Seed pod stalk horizontal, 1-2 flowers per cluster. (Photo Merle R. Black)
Oxalis stricta
Seed pod stalk ascending, pod erect. 3-4 flowers per cluster.
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 recta
Base leaves of 5-7 leaflets, upper 3 leaflets. Sepals shorter than petals.
Plant 16-32" high, unbranched below inflorescence.
(Prairie Coneflower)
Ratibida columnifera
Leaf stalked, 3 to 14 lobes, gland-dotted.
Ratibida pinnata
(1 or a few heads per stem)
larger lower leaves are pinnately divided into 3 to 7 narrow leaflets
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.
Rudbeckia laciniata
Differs from Gray-headed with these branched clusters of many heads.
lower leaves are pinnately divided into wide lobed leaflets. Stem 3-4' tall
(Brown-eyed Susan)
Rudbeckia triloba
Leaves thin and rough, upper with few teeth, lower 3-lobed and toothed & long stalks.
Phyllaries in 2 series, hairy, long-pointed, spreading. Stems to 5+' tall'
(Wild Senna)
Senna hebecarpa
Large branched plant, leaves- long-stalked with 6 to 10 pairs of leaflets
(Rosin-weed)
Silphium integrifolium
Leaf-opposite, tiny teeth, no stalk
Phyllaries in 2-3 series, pointed spreading tips, smooth or hairy.
Silphium laciniatum
Basal leaf - very large and deeply cleft, upper smaller, some not cleft.
Phyllaries in 2-3 series, inner appressed, outer reflexed, hairy.
Silphium perfoliatum
(Leaves surround stem forming cup)
Phyllaries in 2-3 series, outer triangular, pointed reflexed tips, hairy.
(Prairie Rosinweed)
Silphium terebinthinaceum
Large arrow-shape basal leaves only. Very tall stems
Phyllaries in 2-3 series, broad, smooth, not spreading.
(Tall Goldenrod)
Solidago altissima
Stem hairy. Leaves with sharp teeth on lower, upper smaller, stalkless.
hyllaries, thin, yellowish green, 3 series, unequal, outer w/pointed tips.
Solidago flexicaulis
Lower leaves egg shaped, winged stalk, toothed; upper more linear.
Phyllaries green, narrow, 3 series, inner much longer. Stem zig-zags.
Solidago gigantea
Stem smooth. Leaves stalkless, lower with sharp teeth, upper smaller.
Phyllaries thin, 3-4 series, yellowish-green, outer lanceolate w/pointed tips.
(Old Field Goldenrod)
Solidago nemoralis
Panicle narrow, arching. Stem gray-green to reddish, grayish-white hair.
Phyllaries pale yellow, 3 series, unequal, ovate to lanceolate.
Solidago riddellii
Leaves narrow, V-shaped, lower 10x long as wide, dense near base.
Phyllaries 3-4 series, unequal, broad, tips rounded, yellowish-green.
Solidago rigida (Oligoneuron rigidum var. rigidum)
Leaves grayish green, stiff, hairy, lower long stalked, upper stalkless.
Phyllaries in 3-4 series, oblong, unequal, appressed, green midrib..
Solidago ulmifolia
leaf- elliptical, coarse teeth, upper stalkless, upper surface rough.
Phyllaries 3-4 series, unequal, appressed, short, translucent margins
Tanacetum vulgare
Leaves fern-like, 4-10 pairs of lobed primary divisions. Aromatic.
Taraxacum officinale
Leaves all basal, long, pinnately divided, terminal lobe larger, stalk with wings.
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.
Flowers Yellow-green, Gray-green and Green.
Agastache scrophulariifolia
Leaf- stalked, rounded base, coarse teeth, opposite, underside with dense fine hair.
Flower corolla whitish-purplish, calyx greenish. Verticillasters. Plant to 5'+
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Plant monoecious. Male flowers on spike, leaves opposite, pinnatifid.
Anemone cylindrica
Both Thimbleweeds have similar basal and stem leaves.
Anemone virginiana
Astragalus canadensis
Leaf compound, 15-35 leaflets, smooth edges, pointed tips on leaflets.
(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.
Eryngium yuccifolium
(AKA - Rattlesnake Master)
Erect 1-5' stem, unbranched below inflorescence. Leaves alternate, stiff, spiny edges.
Equisetum fluviatile
Ancient plant - spore producing strobilus atop unbranched stem.
(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+
Pilea pumila
Only non-stinging nettle. Leaf opposite, long-stalk, coarse teeth, 3 main veins fm base.
Plantago major L.
Flowers tiny on spike. Leaves in basal rosette.
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.
(California Nettle)
Urtica dioica
Leaves opposite, stalked, lance-shape, toothed, underside with stinging hairs.
Flowers Blue, bluish-pink and bluish purple.
(Anise Hyssop)
Agastache foeniculum
Leaf opposite, triangular, upper leaves more narrow. Anise scent when crushed.
Agastache scrophulariifolia
Leaf- stalked, rounded base, coarse teeth, opposite, underside with dense fine hair.
Flower corolla whitish-purplish, calyx greenish. Verticillasters. Plant to 5'+
Amorpha canescens
Leaf pinnate, 13-25 pairs leaflets, gray hair underside.
Amphicarpaea bracteata
Some flowers have lavender tint
Leaf 3-parted on long stalk. Flower cluster rises from leaf axil.
Pods flat, pointed on end, usually 3 seed. Bean-like edible seed in shallow ground
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
(Rampion Bellflower)
Campanula rapunculoides
Lower leaves stalked, heart-shape base, upper stalkless.
Campanula rotundifolia
Flowers usually single, wiry stems, leaves grass-like.
(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
View after seed pods open in Autumn. Stems branched.
(Bigleaf Aster)
Eurybia macrophylla
(Bigleaf Aster)
Basal leaves large, broadly oval, long stalked, heart shape bases
(Bigleaf Aster)
Phyllaries 5-6 series, 32 to 35, overlapping, oft purple tinged, short glandular hair.
(Closed Gentian)
Gentiana clausa and Gentiana andrewsii
Leaves 2x long as wide, opposite but form whorl under flowers.
Gentiana puberulenta
Plant 8-20" high. Leaf opposite, narrow, slightly hairy. (Photo Derek Anderson)
(Blue Cardinal Flower)
Lobelia siphilitica
Plant 1-4 feet high, stout, usually hairy in inflorescence. Flower- 2 lip lobes top, 3 on bottom.
Leaves oblong to oval, upper smaller and stalkless. No hair.
Mimulus ringens L. var. ringens
Leaf opposite, stalkless with short auricles, coarse teeth. Plant branched.
Myosotis scorpioides
Stems thin, leaf stalkless, one center vein, hair on margins.
Pediomelum argophyllum
Leaf - 3 to 5 leaflets with whitish appressed hair.
Ruellia humilis
Stem 4-angled, leaves opposite, smooth, fine hair on margin.
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)
(Common Blue Wood Aster)
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
(Flowers can be white)
Lower leaves- heart shape base, large teeth, upper leaves more oval.
Phyllaries - 4 to 6 series, unequal, linear to oblong, whitish with green diamond stripe
(Red-stemmed Aster)
Symphyotrichum puniceum
(Red-stemmed Aster)
Stem stout, hairy, reddish purple, leaves clasp stem
(Red-stemmed Aster)
Phyllaries- 4 to 6 series, whitish with long spreading green tips, with/without hair.
Symphyotrichum shortii
Leaves lance-like, lowest the largest, base heart-shaped, usually without teeth.
Phyllaries- 4-5 series, appressed, unequal in size, whitish with short dk green pointed tip.
(Swamp Vervain)
Verbena hastata
Leaf lance-like, coarse teeth, underside with whitish hair, lower leaves have a pair of basal lobes.
Flowers rosy, pinkish, pink-purple and 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.
Allium cernuum
(Buds and open flowers nodding)
Leaves all basal, forming vase shape. Flower stem rises from bulb. White flowers also.
Allium stellatum
(Bud nod, open flowers held erect)
Amorpha canescens
Leaf pinnate, 13-25 pairs leaflets, gray hair underside.
(Wild Bean)
Apios americana
Leaves have 5+ stalked leaflets, terminal largest. Vine to 7'
Arctium minus
Leaf-egg shape, large, lower with heart-shape base, edge wavy. Flowers in tight cluster.
Asclepias incarnata
Leaves stalkless to clasping, smooth both sides. Flower umbel erect.
Slender pods held erect on erect stalks. Brown at maturity.
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.
Chelone obliqua
Leaves opposite, stalked, dark green, smooth, toothed.
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.
Cirsium discolor
Biennial, to 7' high, leaves with white fuzz under, spiny on margins.
Flw head to 1.5” wide, Phyllaries like fish scales, white stripe, prickly.
Cirsium muticum
Leaves deeply cut, basal long stalked, a few spines. Stem leaf shorter with spines.
Phyllaries prickly, each with white center stripe and a thin prickle. Stems 4-7' high.
Dalea purpurea
Leaf compound, small, 3-9 leaflets with gland dots.
(Canada Ticktrefoil)
Desmodium canadense
(Canada Ticktrefoil)
3-part stem leaves on stalks
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.
Echinacea purpurea
Basal leaves 5x long as wide, long-stalked. Stem leaves short.
Phyllareies narrow, pointed, hairy and recurve from the head when in flower.
Epipactis helleborine
Erect orchid, leaves narrowly elliptic, widely separated, wider on the lower stem.
Euphorbia cyathophora
Leaves stalked, variable - linear to oblong lobed. Color is in the bracts.
Eutrochium maculatum
(Eupatorium purpureum)
Leaves usually in whorls of 4 to 5, lanceolate in shape, underside densely hairy.
Stem is purple or purple spotted. More moist sites.
Eutrochium purpureum
(Eupatorium purpureum)
Greenish stem, purple only at stem nodes - mesic sites.
Leaves in whorl of 3 or 4, coarsely toothed, similar to E. maculatum but fewer in whorl.
Filipendula rubra
Leaf -up to 7 separated lobed leaflets on reddish stem, terminal leaflet with 7-9 lobes.
(Witch's Moneybags)
Hylotelephium telephium
Leaves flat, thick, succulent with coarse teeth, lower stalked.
Plants shown here all have similar leaves. Longer and wider closer to stem base
(Rough Gayfeather)
Liatris aspera
Phyllaries - 4-5 series - outer green & reflexed, - middle rounded tip, uneven edges.
(Cylindrical Blazing Star
Liatris cylindracea
Phyllaries - 5-7 series, outer ovate to inner oblong; varying green to deep purplish
(Rocky Mt. Blazing Star)
Liatris ligulistylis
Phyllaries- 4-5 series, unequal, oblong to spatulate, truncate to rounded tips, long stalk
Liatris pilosa
Phyllaries- 4-5 series, oblong, unequal, irregular shape, margins translucent, tips rounded to pointed.
Liatris pycnostachya
Phyllaries - 4-5 series, unequal, oblong, margins slightly translucent, tips pointed & curving to fully recurving.
(New England Blazing Star)
Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae
Phyllaries - 4-5 series, unequal, oblong to ovate, tips rounded & spreading, not recurved, green to purple.
(Spiked Blazing Star)
Liatris spicata
Phyllaries - 4-5 series, unequal, ovate to oblong, tips rounded, appressed, green or purple varying with variety.
Lythrum salicaria
Leaves lance-like, downy, smooth edge, stalkless and clasping.
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
Mimulus ringens var. ringens
Leaf opposite, stalkless with short auricles, coarse teeth. Stem 6-40", branched.
Monarda fistulosa
Leaves opposite, stalked, grayish, triangular base, fewer teeth on upper leaves.
Monarda media
Leaf same as M. fistulosa
Monarda punctata
(AKA - Dotted Horsemint)
Flowers in verticillasters, stem 4-angled, lilac color dotted bracts under flowers.
Leaves with shallow teeth, stalk with wing effect. Plant of drier habitat. Stems to 3.
Phryma leptostachya
Leaves opposite, spaced, long stalks. Flowers in terminal spikes.
(False Dragonhead)
Physostegia virginiana
Leaves opposite, narrow, not stalked, widely spaced sharp teeth. Vein prominent
Prenanthes alba
Stem leaf - variable, upper with coarse teen & few lobes, lower deeply 3 to 5 lobed.
Prunella vulgaris
Flowers in verticillasters, leaves opposite, sparse, hair on underside.
(Soapwort -pink flower)
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
Strophostyles helvola
Leaf 3-parted, lateral leaflet lobes unequal. Flowers single or loose cluster of 3 to 10.
Pods rounded, to 3.5" long, brownish black at maturity, persistent bent style.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Flowers white to pinkish
Leaf- elliptical, wavy edges, short reddish stalks, reddish stem.
Drupes ovoid to 1/4", very tightly clustered, beak at tip, not palatable.
(Silky Aster)
Symphyotrichum sericeum
(Silky Aster)
Leaves pale green, silky, silver tint, smooth edges.
Phyllaries - 3-5 series, overlapping, ovate, pale-grn center line, spade-like grn spreading tips
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.
(Prairie Ironweed)
Vernonia fasciculata
Tall stout plant, leaves lance-like with sharp toothed edge, stalkless.
Phyllaries - 4-5 series of 25 to 35+, green, like fish scales, inner tips purplish.
Flowers reddish, orange, brown.
(Red Columbine)
Aquilegia canadensis
Leaves divided into 3-leaflet groups, each leaflet cleft at tips.
(Butterfly Milkweed)
Asclepias tuberosa
Leaf lance-shaped, alternate, no stalk; other milkweeds are alternate.
Long slim seed pods held upright on a downward curving stalk.
Belamcanda chinensis
Leaves sword-like, flowers in branched clusters, one open per day.
Hemerocallis fulva
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.
Lobelia cardinalis
Leaf toothed, alternate, upper stalkless
Silene regia
(AKA Wild Pink)
Leaves opposite, widely spaced, usually hairy. Flowers with glandular hair.
(Gap between brown flw sections)
Typha angustifolia
(Broadleaf Cattail)
(No gap between brown flw sections)
Typha latifolia
