Skip to main content

Wildflower Identification Resources


Not in Idaho! Elephant's Head (Pedicularis groenlandica) in the Sierra Nevada of California

 Spring is arriving quickly, and it's one of my favorite seasons because of the beautiful display of wildflowers that we are treated to as each day unfolds. Learning to identify wildflowers and exploring different natural areas to find them is one of my greatest joys, and I find that it helps me to really savor and appreciate a season that otherwise can feel so fleeting. 

 So what's the best way to learn to identify wildflowers? Field guides and websites are key resources to have in your toolkit. I also encourage you to seek out local naturalist-led hikes that focus specifically on identifying flowers. There is nothing quite like learning from local experts, so bring your notebook and prepare to learn a lot! One of my favorite aspects of 

 Here is a list of resources for identifying wildflowers:
  • Boise National Forest Wildflowers website: This U.S. Forest Service page outlines some signature Idaho wildflower species. 
  • A Field Guide to Plants of the Boise Foothills (download the PDF here): This is an informative, 2013 publication from the BLM and the Healthy Hills Initiative. Great photography to aid in identification.
  • Wildflowers and Weeds of the Boise Foothills, an article by the Idaho Botanical Garden: a wonderful overview of wildflowers found in the foothills ecosystem.
  • Flora of the Pacific Northwest: Much more technical than other field guides, this book contains thorough identification keys for every species in the region, so it's a hefty size!
  • Idaho Native Plant Society resources: The Idaho Native Plant Society has incredible resources on their website, including a Treasures of the Boise Front powerpoint with wonderful wildflower photos. 
  • Idaho Wildflower app: A collaborative effort between the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, and University of Washington, this app costs $7.99 and has more than 800 Idaho wildflowers cataloged. 
  • Consider downloading the iNaturalist app. You can post photos of your discoveries and receive identification from other naturalists. 

What are your favorite field guides or wildflower identification resources? 

Bitterroot in the Sierra Nevada foothills, California

Labels:
Location: Boise, ID, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey Driving Tour

Driving tour of Birds of Prey National Conservation Area - click here to see the brochure and map A couple of weeks ago, I took a driving tour of the Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. The driving route outlines some notable geographic features of the area, as well as bringing birds to great spots above the Snake River for catching glimpses of birds of prey. Read more about the history of this unique area here .  View of Initial Point Snake River at Celebration Park Helpful bird identification sign at Dedication Point This sign at the Kuna Visitors Center has great ideas for stops along the Western Heritage Historic Byway View from Dedication Point
Post a Comment
Read more

Backpacking in the Sawtooth Wilderness

Sawtooth Wilderness boundary Looking toward the far side of Farley Lake - the first campsite  This past weekend, I went backpacking on an iconic loop in the Sawtooth Mountains of central Idaho. The Sawtooths are beloved and renowned for their dramatic sharp, rocky peaks that resemble the teeth on a saw. I had only been to the Sawtooths once before (six years ago when I was working a seasonal position in McCall), so I was looking forward to exploring more.  I hiked the Toxaway Lake to Alice Lake Loop , and spent two nights in the backcountry. This was the perfect amount of time to spend backpacking, since it's been several years since I've hit the trail and done backcountry camping. My back and legs were achy and tired by the end of the weekend, but this trip itinerary allowed  The fire smoke that has been looming over Boise was present in Stanley (a small river town close to the Sawtooths) and the views of the mountains took on a dreamlike, mystical quality w...
2 comments
Read more

Quarantine Driving Tour of Boise

Map of the Boise Driving Tour to go along with this guide. Find the map here . We're all still under the statewide Stay at Home order here in Idaho, but many of us are itching to get out and enjoy the beautiful spring weather we've been having. Luckily, outdoor recreation is still permissible and encouraged, as long as social distancing guidelines are followed.  Another great way to shake things up and enjoy the beauty of this time to year is to take a scenic drive around Boise. I put together a guide of some significant parts of Boise  Here is a map with directions between each stop on the driving tour: Boise Driving Tour Map 1. Start at the  Idaho State Capitol Building in downtown Boise. Did you know it's the only capitol building in the U.S. that is heated with geothermal water?   check out this online tour of the Capitol and this fact page on the Capitol .  2. Cruise through downtown and stretch your legs at Freak Alley Gallery ,  an a...
1 comment
Read more