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Native Plants in Wyoming

Wyoming's native plants are as diverse as its geography. Two-thirds of the state is host to mountain ranges and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Much of the eastern portion of Wyoming is covered with high elevation prairie lands, known as the High Plains. Wyoming has unique temperature extremes; it receives a fair amount of snow, but it also has the dry and windy characteristics of a High Plains state.

Tufted Hairgrass
- Tufted Hairgrass typically grows on prairies and can withstand windy, cold conditions. It's considered a cool season plant; however, it tolerates heat well. Tufted Hairgrass blooms between May and June and can grow up to 32 inches.
Rocky Mountain Fescue
- Rocky Mountain Fescue grows in high altitudes and is drought-tolerant; however, it's also found in grasslands and dry meadows. It's considered a cool season bunch grass and it does well in sandy soil, making it excellent for the prevention of soil erosion.
Chokecherry
- The Chokecherry is a large shrub that can reach heights of up to 8 to 15 feet tall. Chokecherry flowers have five petals, grow in a drooping pattern and bloom in late spring. The Chokecherry was an important source of nutrition for Plains Indian tribes. Chokecherry is still used today to make preserves and jelly.
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush
- The Wyoming Indian Paintbrush is the state's flower. This native plant is commonly found on arid plains and is considered parasitic in nature. Its blooms are reddish-orange, with a bloom time of mid to late summer. It can grow up to 12 inches tall and is very attractive to bees.
White Mariposa Lily
- The White Mariposa Lily is a wildflower that typically grows in mountain meadows. This flower has three white petals with beautiful purplish splotches in the middle. The stems bear one to five flowers and can grow up to 20 inches tall. The White Mariposa Lily's bloom time is early to mid-spring.

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