Wildflowers of the Lake Tahoe Basin

Yellow - Orange Flowers

Buttercup The first plant to flower in wet mountain meadows. The waxy, yellow blossoms consist of five petals about 1/2 inch across, and grow in low mats.

Mountain Mule Ears and Arrow-Leaved Balsamroot Both of these plants have yellow sunflower-like blossoms and are found growing on dry slopes and hillsides. The leaves of the mule ears look and feel like donkey ears with long oblong, velvet feeling leaves. The leaves of the balsamroot are triangular or arrowhead shaped with sparsely covered coarser hair.

Sulphur Flower This member of the buckwheat family is commonly found in dry, rocky places. As the name suggests, it is "sulphur" yellow in color. It is especially abundant around the Taylor Creek area.

Yellow - Orange Flowers
Buttercup	The first plant to flower in wet mountain meadows. The waxy, yellow blossoms consist of five petals about 1/2 inch across, and grow in low mats.
Mountain Mule Ears and Arrow-Leaved Balsamroot	Both of these plants have yellow sunflower-like blossoms and are found growing on dry slopes and hillsides. The leaves of the mule ears look and feel like donkey ears with long oblong, velvet feeling leaves. The leaves of the balsamroot are triangular or arrowhead shaped with sparsely covered coarser hair.
Sulphur Flower	This member of the buckwheat family is commonly found in dry, rocky places. As the name suggests, it is "sulphur" yellow in color. It is especially abundant around the Taylor Creek area.

Blue - Purple Flowers

Dwarf Alpine Aster These lavendar, low growing daisy-like flowers adorn the borders of drying meadows, ponds or shaded forest edges. They bloom in August and into September when other wildflowers have faded.

Meadow Penstemon This penstemon grows in moist or drying meadows. Its deep purple flowers are arranged in whorls around the upper portion of the stem. There are many members of the penstemon family varying in color from red, pink, white and blue.

Lupine The numerous species of Lupine are difficult to tell apart, but the group itself is easily recognized by the palmate leaf (leaflets originating from a common point, like the fingers of a hand). The flowers are usually blue and ordinarily grow in dry sandy areas, although some species are found in wet meadows.

Blue - Purple Flowers
Dwarf Alpine Aster	These lavendar, low growing daisy-like flowers adorn the borders of drying meadows, ponds or shaded forest edges. They bloom in August and into September when other wildflowers have faded.
Meadow Penstemon	This penstemon grows in moist or drying meadows. Its deep purple flowers are arranged in whorls around the upper portion of the stem. There are many members of the penstemon family varying in color from red, pink, white and blue.
Lupine	The numerous species of Lupine are difficult to tell apart, but the group itself is easily recognized by the palmate leaf (leaflets originating from a common point, like the fingers of a hand). The flowers are usually blue and ordinarily grow in dry sandy areas, although some species are found in wet meadows.

Pink - Red Flowers

Thistle Often thought of as a weed, bees and hummingbirds favor thistle for their nectar. The flowers can be red, pink or purple and are found in meadow borders and open forests.

Columbine A well known flower found growing in moist areas. The colorful blossoms my be found from May to August, depending on elevation.

Indian Paintbrush The showy parts of the paintbrush are not the flower petals, but ragged-edged bracts found below each flower and floral sepals. They are found growing in moist areas.

Snow Plant Although snow plants bloom early, they do not formally push their way through snowbanks. Like the pine drops, snow plants lack chlorophyll and derive their energy from dead plant material.

Shooting Star An easily recognized pink/purplish flower found in wet alpine meadows.

Pink - Red Flowers
Thistle	Often thought of as a weed, bees and hummingbirds favor thistle for their nectar. The flowers can be red, pink or purple and are found in meadow borders and open forests.
Columbine	A well known flower found growing in moist areas. The colorful blossoms my be found from May to August, depending on elevation.
Indian Paintbrush	The showy parts of the paintbrush are not the flower petals, but ragged-edged bracts found below each flower and floral sepals. They are found growing in moist areas.
Snow Plant	Although snow plants bloom early, they do not formally push their way through snowbanks. Like the pine drops, snow plants lack chlorophyll and derive their energy from dead plant material.
Shooting Star	An easily recognized pink/purplish flower found in wet alpine meadows.

White Flowers

California Corn Lily Perhaps one of the most common plants found in moist areas. It is often called skunk cabbage because of its strong odor.

Cow Parsnip Easily recognized by the umbrella shaped cluster of flowers and large palm shaped leaves. Found in moist meadows.

Mariposa Lily Growing in dry, bushy places, this member of the lily family can be distinguished by the three cream colored petals which resemble a poppy.

Ranger Buttons Found along streams and other moist places. Sometimes confused with cow parsnip, the Ranger button flowers are in fuzzy balls, not clustered in large flat-topped umbels as in cow parsnip.

Common Yarrow Flourishes in brushy areas, open woodlands, dry meadows and roadsides. It immediately invades places where the natural vegetation has been disturbed.

White Flowers
California Corn Lily	Perhaps one of the most common plants found in moist areas. It is often called skunk cabbage because of its strong odor.
Cow Parsnip	Easily recognized by the umbrella shaped cluster of flowers and large palm shaped leaves. Found in moist meadows.
Mariposa Lily	Growing in dry, bushy places, this member of the lily family can be distinguished by the three cream colored petals which resemble a poppy.
Ranger Buttons	Found along streams and other moist places. Sometimes confused with cow parsnip, the Ranger button flowers are in fuzzy balls, not clustered in large flat-topped umbels as in cow parsnip.
Common Yarrow	Flourishes in brushy areas, open woodlands, dry meadows and roadsides. It immediately invades places where the natural vegetation has been disturbed.

Note: Pictures will be added in the future.

This web site is maintained by Heather Babcock (heatherb@sierra.net),
Tahoe Center for a Sustainable Future.