New York Wildflowers

Beyond the humble daisy and buttercup, here is a selection of wildflowers found in central New York State.

Birdfoot Trefoil
Clusters of small golden yellow blossoms close to the ground. Often found by roadways and trails.

Black-Eyed Susan
Distinctive golden yellow petals with a black center. Common along roadsides.

Chicory
Blue flowers found near roadsides in dry soil. Blooms throughout the summer. The roots can be used for a coffee substitute, and the leaves are edible.

Crown Vetch
Commonly found along roadsides. Clusters of pink and white blossoms, grows in a tangle and will creep over other plants.

Dame's Rocket
Purple and white clustered blossoms found in late spring and early summer. Sometimes has a sweet scent.

Fleabane
Looks like a small, fringy daisy on a long stalk.

Gill Over the Ground
You probably have this in your yard! The bane of grass enthusiasts everywhere, Gill Over the Ground has small purple blossoms with larger scalloped leaves.

Goldenrod
Easiest to spot in late summer and early fall after other blossoms are gone. Tall, with many little yellow blossoms on stalks.

Indian Pipe
You won't find this one in the fields, but you just may spot it in the woods. Indian Pipe doesn't have chlorophyll, so it's a ghostly white. Plants are 3-6 inches tall with thick white stems and drooping white flowers.

Milkweed
Dark green foliage with clusters of sweet-scented, drooping, pink to dark purple blossoms. When stem is cut, bright white liquid drips out.

Mullein
Large silvery green foliage, grows up to six feet tall. Yellow blossoms grow directly on thick, strong stalk.

Orange Hawkweed (also known as Devil's Paintbrush and Indian Paintbrush)
Small but vibrant orange blossom on hairy stem. Petals are fringed at the ends.

Queen Anne's Lace (also known as Wild Carrot)
Flat round display of tiny white blossoms. Sometimes has deep purple center.

Wild Parsnip
Flat, round display of small yellow blossoms on 3-4 ft. stalk, common next to roadways. Do not pick! Contact with sap or contact between wet skin and leaves can cause patches of extreme photo sensitivity with rash, blisters, and/or burning.

White Yarrow
Multiple clusters of small white blossoms atop each stem. Silvery ferny foliage.

Winter Cress
Bunches of small yellow blossoms, round leaves, 1-2 ft. tall. Early winter cress leaves can be eaten fresh or cooked.

Yellow Hawkweed
Like orange hawkweed, only yellow! Kind of like a tall, small dandelion.