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🇺🇸 The flowers of the United States

154 pages from the United States: its flowers, the things made with them and the places to see them, across 60 cities and regions.

The United States is home to about 17,000 native species of flowering plants, making its flora among the richest in the temperate world. Its plant life ranges from arctic tundra to tropical forests, deserts, and rainforests. The country is known for flowering dogwood, redbud, magnolia, and mountain laurel, among others.

  • About 17,000 native flowering plant species grow in the U.S.
  • The flora ranges from arctic tundra to tropical rainforest and desert.
  • Flowering dogwood and southern magnolia are famous U.S. natives.
  • Thousands of native plants are rare, threatened, or endangered.
  • Blueberries and cranberries originated in the United States.

The plant life of the United States

Plant life in the United States is shaped by a wide range of climates and landscapes, from the arctic regions of Alaska to the tropical areas of Florida and Hawaii. The country’s flora is extremely diverse, with about 17,000 native vascular plant species and thousands more non-native plants now established. The U.S. supports rainforests, deserts, alpine meadows, and temperate forests, making it one of the most botanically varied temperate countries globally. Its native plants include many ornamentals and important crops.

From region to region in the United States

Flora changes dramatically across the United States. The arctic north of Alaska, tropical southern Florida and Hawaii, and the varied mountains and plains each have their own characteristic plants. Coastal areas face three different oceans, while deserts, rainforests, and alpine zones add to the diversity. The country is divided into several floristic regions and provinces, each with unique species and levels of endemism.

Flowers to know in the United States

Several flowering plants from the U.S. are now grown worldwide as ornamentals, such as flowering dogwood, redbud, mountain laurel, southern magnolia, and bald cypress. The country is also the original home of food plants like blueberries, cranberries, black raspberries, and pecans. Some species, like Franklinia alatamaha, are extinct or possibly extinct in the wild, while thousands more are considered rare or threatened.

How flowers are used in the United States

Many U.S. native plants are cultivated for gardens and landscaping, especially flowering trees and shrubs. The flora has also contributed important food crops, including berries, nuts, and maple syrup. Timber trees like Monterey pine are significant as well. Traditional uses and customs are not detailed in the source.

Threats and protection in the United States

Extinction and endangerment affect many native U.S. plants. Some, like Franklinia alatamaha, are extinct or missing from the wild. Thousands of other species are listed as rare, threatened, or endangered, either across their whole range or in particular states. Conservation efforts and reserves are implied but not described in detail.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Flora of the United States", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Flower experiences in the United States

All 20
🇺🇸 Honolulu · All yearMake a lei in HonoluluLearn to string a Hawaiian flower lei, and see the lei stands of Chinatown. 🇺🇸 Los Angeles · All yearThe Los Angeles Flower District at dawnSeveral blocks of wholesale flower halls in downtown Los Angeles, open to the public and busiest before sunrise. 🇺🇸 New York City · All yearThe flower block on West 28th StreetA single Manhattan block where wholesale florists put trees, branches and buckets of flowers out on the pavement each morning. 🇺🇸 Kennett Square · All yearLongwood Gardens and its conservatoryThe former du Pont estate in Pennsylvania, with a vast glass conservatory, fountains and flower displays in every season. 🇺🇸 New York City · Feb to OctThe New York Botanical Garden in the BronxA 250-acre garden with a Victorian-style glasshouse, a late winter orchid show, an azalea hillside and a large rose garden. 🇺🇸 San Marino · Jan to DecThe Huntington's rose, camellia and desert gardensA library and art estate near Pasadena with more than a dozen themed gardens, strongest in winter and spring.

Cities and regions of the United States

California 7Portland 4Hawaii 3New York City 3Washington, D.C. 3Alabama 2Encinitas 2Hamakua 2Honolulu 2Kauaʻi 2Louisiana 2Miami 2Oregon 2Rochester 2Texas 2Tucson 2Washington 2Alaska 1Antelope Valley 1Arcadia 1Arizona 1Arkansas 1Arp 1Asheville 1Bellevue 1Boothbay 1Borrego Springs 1Boston 1Buncombe County 1Carter County 1Chicago 1Coconut Grove 1Columbus 1Connecticut 1Coral Gables 1Florida 1Fort Bragg 1Fort Worth 1Galveston 1Georgetown 1Grafton 1Grand Rapids 1Gunnison County 1Harris County 1Hawaii Island 1Henrico County 1Hilo 1Hot Springs 1Ice Mountain 1Kalāheo 1Kansas City 1Kauai 1Kingsville 1Kirtland 1Kona 1Lake Wales 1Lancaster 1Lincoln Park 1Lombard 1Los Angeles 1
ShowFlowersDecorationsPlaces
ColourRedPinkOrangeYellowWhiteCreamBluePurpleGreenMaroonMany-coloured
In flowerSpringSummerMonsoonAutumnWinter
PeachPrunus persica A flowering fruit tree from China, grown for its pink blossoms and sweet fruit 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Flowering tree AlmondPrunus amygdalus A Mediterranean tree grown for its fragrant spring flowers and edible seeds 🇮🇷 Iran and 6 more · Flowering tree CactusCactaceae Succulent plants with spines, native to the Americas 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Chrysanthemum菊花 Autumn-blooming flower with thousands of varieties, cherished in East Asia and beyond 🇨🇳 China and 6 more · Wildflower LindenTilia Tall, broad-leaved trees with fragrant yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Flowering tree YarrowAchillea millefolium A wild, fern-leaved plant with flat clusters of white or pink flowers and a spicy scent 🇨🇳 China and 6 more · Wildflower RapeseedBrassica napus A yellow-flowered crop grown for its oil-rich seeds and protein meal 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Sensitive PlantMimosa pudica A touch-sensitive plant whose leaves fold up when disturbed 🇧🇷 Brazil and 8 more · Wildflower Thorn-appleDatura stramonium A poisonous, night-blooming plant with trumpet-shaped white or violet flowers 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Rhododendron A vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many colours 🇳🇵 Nepal and 4 more · Wildflower Dog roseRosa canina A wild climbing rose with pale pink flowers and bright red hips 🇮🇪 Ireland and 7 more · Wildflower PoinsettiaEuphorbia pulcherrima The red-bracted shrub of Christmas displays, native to Mexico and Central America 🇲🇽 Mexico and 8 more · Wildflower SafflowerCarthamus tinctorius A thistle-like annual grown for oil, dye, and as a saffron substitute 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower CarnationDianthus caryophyllus A fragrant flower with ruffled petals, grown worldwide for decoration and meaning 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Garden flower Black locustRobinia pseudoacacia A tall, fragrant-flowered tree native to eastern North America 🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Flowering tree Datura A group of trumpet-shaped, highly toxic flowering plants in the nightshade family 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower LupinLupinus Tall, spiky-flowered legumes grown for gardens, food, and soil health 🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Wildflower Vanilla Climbing orchids with pods used for the world’s most popular flavor 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower LotusNelumbo Aquatic plants with large, round leaves and striking flowers called lotus 🇮🇳 India and 7 more · Water flower Sweet VioletViola odorata A scented violet with edible leaves and flowers, native to Eurasia 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower BromeliadsBromeliaceae A family of tropical flowering plants from the Americas, including the pineapple 🇨🇱 Chile and 7 more · Wildflower Prickly pearOpuntia Cactus with flat pads and edible fruit, native to the Americas 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Yucca Dry-climate plants with pointed leaves and clusters of creamy white flowers 🇲🇽 Mexico and 4 more · Wildflower Indian fig opuntiaOpuntia ficus-indica A large, spiny cactus grown for its sweet fruit and edible pads 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower PassionflowerPassiflora A vine with intricate flowers and edible fruits, grown worldwide 🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Wildflower DogwoodCornus Woody trees and shrubs with showy bracts and colorful berries 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower LantanaLantana camara A colourful shrub with clusters of small, changing flowers 🇧🇷 Brazil and 9 more · Flowering shrub White cloverTrifolium repens A low-growing, mat-forming clover with white flower heads 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Marsh-marigoldCaltha palustris A bright yellow wildflower of marshes and wet woodlands in cool climates 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower FireweedChamaenerion angustifolium A tall pink wildflower that quickly covers burned or disturbed ground 🇨🇳 China and 3 more · Wildflower Place Great Craggy Mountains A North Carolina mountain range known for rhododendrons and sweeping views Asheville, 🇺🇸 United States · Bloom site, June Place Allerton GardenLāwaʻi-kai A tropical botanical garden by the sea on Kauai, Hawaii Kauai, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Place Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden A lakeside garden in Portland with over 2,500 rhododendrons and azaleas Portland, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Wood lilyLilium philadelphicum A red or orange wild lily native to North America’s prairies and forests 🇨🇦 Canada and 2 more · Wildflower Place Foster Botanical Garden Honolulu’s oldest public botanical garden, home to rare tropical plants and historic trees Honolulu, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Decoration May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary Month-long Catholic customs honouring Mary with flowers, altars, and processions 🇮🇹 Italy and 7 more · Custom, May Place Conservatory Garden A formal six-acre garden in Central Park, New York City New York City, 🇺🇸 United States · Flower garden Place Anza-Borrego Desert State Park California’s largest state park, famous for spring wildflower blooms and desert landscapes Borrego Springs, 🇺🇸 United States · Bloom site Place Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden A 17-acre garden of tropical plants on Hawaii Island’s lush coast Hamakua, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Place Tyler Municipal Rose Garden A 14-acre public rose garden and museum in Tyler, Texas Tyler, 🇺🇸 United States · Flower garden, October Place Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens A coastal garden in Mendocino County, California with ocean views and diverse plantings Fort Bragg, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Place Callaway Gardens A 2,500-acre garden and resort in Pine Mountain, Georgia, known for its azaleas Pine Mountain, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Place Olbrich Botanical Gardens A 16-acre public garden and conservatory in Madison, Wisconsin Madison, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Decoration Quilling Decorative art made by rolling and shaping strips of paper 🇺🇸 United States and 1 more · Flower craft Place Green Animals Topiary Garden A seaside garden in Rhode Island with animal-shaped topiary and formal beds Portsmouth, 🇺🇸 United States · Flower garden Place Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens A museum and garden estate in Washington, D.C. with historic interiors and formal gardens Washington, D.C., 🇺🇸 United States · Flower garden Place Holden Arboretum A vast botanical garden and arboretum in Kirtland, Ohio Kirtland, 🇺🇸 United States · Botanical garden Tecoma Shrubs or small trees with trumpet-shaped flowers from the Americas 🇺🇸 United States and 3 more · Flowering shrub
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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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