If you need a reason to get out and explore Indiana’s woods and backroads this Spring! Wildflowers are in full swing. We've compiled a list of 10 native Indiana wildflowers for you to search for during your spring exploration.
What Is It?
Slow down and take a look at Indiana's magnificent forest floor. Soon you’ll begin to wonder “What is that flower?”
While exploring woodland wildflowers, you may become curious about trees and ferns. An excellent guide is “Wildflowers and Ferns of Indiana Forests” by Michael A. Homoya. The book includes information on natural communities and much more.
You can also find smartphone apps to help identify wildflowers and plants. Check the Indiana State Parks' event schedules for wildflower walks at various properties. Indiana DNR Naturalists provide a wealth of knowledge about the biodiversity you can find in Indiana.
Your State Nature Passport is a great tool to give you ideas of places to go, and you can get rewarded for your exploring! Check-in and explore participating locations throughout the state to earn great prizes! The more you visit, the more you win. This program is 100% free, but property entrance fees apply when you visit. Learn More. Trails and backroads are great starting places to see and learn about wildflowers. Remember to look around where you live, including local parks and walking paths.
Top 10 to Know
Here are 10 wildflowers you need to know. These were found in Putnam and Owen Counties in West Central Indiana. Find out more about each of them in Homoya's book. All are found throughout the state.
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)
Cutleaf Toothwort (Dentaria Laciniata)
Violets (here, Yellow - Viola pubescens - and Common Blue and Cream Violets)
Isopyrum (Isopyrum biternatum)
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Sessile Trillium (Trillium sessile)
Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
Wild Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Get Exploring!
Now more than ever, it is vital to get out of the house and explore. Get your pulse rate up, spike some adrenaline, or just get lost in nature. We've put a list of 20 spots together where you can have an incredible outdoor adventure in Indiana. See the full list.
And don't forget to check out the Indiana State Nature Passport to get rewarded for your adventures!
