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🇺🇸 The flowers of the United States

330 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 13Hawaii 10Texas 6Arizona 5New Mexico 5New York City 5Portland 5Alabama 4Chicago 4Louisiana 4North Carolina 4Oregon 4Philadelphia 4Tennessee 4Washington, D.C. 4Alaska 3Florida 3Oklahoma 3Rochester 3San Francisco 3Utah 3Washington 3Berkeley 2Boston 2Colorado 2Columbus 2Connecticut 2Encinitas 2Everglades 2Hamakua 2Holland 2Honolulu 2Indiana 2Kauaʻi 2Kauai 2Kentucky 2Mackinac Island 2Macon 2Maui 2Miami 2Miami-Dade County 2Missouri 2New Hampshire 2North Dakota 2Ohio 2Pasadena 2Salt Lake City 2Tucson 2Virginia 2Wyoming 2Airlie Gardens 1Aleutian Islands 1Altamaha River valley 1Anchorage 1Antelope Valley 1Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve 1Anza-Borrego Park 1Appalachian Mountains 1Arcadia 1Arkansas 1
ShowFlowersDecorationsPlaces
ColourRedPinkOrangeYellowWhiteCreamBluePurpleGreenMaroonMany-coloured
KindWildflowerGarden flowerCut flowerFlowering treeFlowering shrubBulb flowerClimberOrchidWater flowerCactus or succulentAlpine flowerTropical flowerHerb or useful flower
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 Rhododendron A vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many colours 🇳🇵 Nepal and 4 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 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 PassionflowerPassiflora A vine with intricate flowers and edible fruits, grown worldwide 🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Wildflower Indian fig opuntiaOpuntia ficus-indica A large, spiny cactus grown for its sweet fruit and edible pads 🇲🇽 Mexico 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 FireweedChamaenerion angustifolium A tall pink wildflower that quickly covers burned or disturbed ground 🇨🇳 China and 3 more · Wildflower Marsh-marigoldCaltha palustris A bright yellow wildflower of marshes and wet woodlands in cool climates 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Hepatica A woodland perennial with three-lobed leaves and early spring flowers 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Wildflower Heuchera Evergreen perennials with colorful leaves and delicate spring flowers 🇺🇸 United States and 2 more · Wildflower Heliopsis Bright yellow sunflower-like flowers of the Americas 🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Wildflower Protea neriifolia A South African shrub with cone-shaped flower heads and hairy-tipped bracts 🇿🇦 South Africa and 3 more · Wildflower Zinnia Bright, long-stemmed flowers native to dry grasslands from the US to South America 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Rocky Mountain penstemonPenstemon strictus A blue-flowered perennial from the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains 🇺🇸 United States · Wildflower Mandevilla A tropical vine with large trumpet-shaped blooms in vivid colours 🇧🇷 Brazil and 2 more · Climber Cosmos Tall daisy-like flowers grown in gardens and meadows 🇺🇸 United States and 5 more · Wildflower Moutan peonyPaeonia × suffruticosa The woody peony of China with large, showy spring flowers 🇨🇳 China and 4 more · Flowering shrub Datura innoxia A white-flowered night-blooming plant with spiny fruit and toxic parts 🇨🇺 Cuba and 4 more · Wildflower Witch-hazelHamamelis A winter-flowering shrub with strap-shaped yellow to red blooms 🇺🇸 United States and 2 more · Flowering shrub California poppyEschscholzia californica The golden-orange wildflower and state flower of California 🇺🇸 United States and 6 more · Wildflower Blanket FlowerGaillardia aristata A drought-tolerant wildflower with yellow and maroon daisy-like blooms 🇺🇸 United States and 6 more · Wildflower Eastern redbudCercis canadensis A North American tree with magenta-pink spring flowers and heart-shaped leaves 🇺🇸 United States and 1 more · Flowering tree Evening primroseOenothera A group of night-blooming wildflowers native to the Americas 🇲🇽 Mexico and 3 more · Wildflower Blue morning gloryIpomoea indica A fast-growing vine with vivid blue funnel flowers that fade to pink by dusk 🇺🇸 United States and 7 more · Climber Catawba rosebayRhododendron catawbiense A spring-flowering rhododendron native to the southern Appalachian Mountains 🇺🇸 United States · Wildflower Clary sageSalvia sclarea A tall herb with aromatic leaves and pale lilac to white flower spikes 🇨🇳 China and 2 more · Herb or useful flower Bauhinia A tropical tree with butterfly-shaped flowers in vivid colours 🇮🇳 India and 6 more · Flowering tree Mammillaria A diverse group of small, rounded cacti with funnel-shaped flowers 🇲🇽 Mexico and 5 more · Wildflower Spring starflowerIpheion uniflorum A small blue spring bulb with star-shaped, honey-scented flowers 🇦🇷 Argentina and 5 more · Bulb flower Mountain laurelKalmia latifolia Evergreen shrub with pink or white star-shaped blooms from eastern North America 🇺🇸 United States · Wildflower
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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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