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Denali National Park and Preserve
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Forb

Forb.

Forbs

Forbs are herbaceous flowering plant species. This category includes those plant species people think of as "wildflowers" such as goldenrod, gentian, fireweed, forget-me-not, larkspur, lupine, monkshood, poppies, and violets. This is the most species-rich group of plants in the Denali National Park flora, including about 450 species of plants from 54 families of flowering plants. The families with the largest numbers of forbs in the Denali National Park flora are Aster family (59 species), Mustard family (45 species), Buttercup family (32 species), Pink family (31 species), and Saxifrage family (31 species).

Forbs occur in all habitats across the park from aquatic communities to the driest, most windswept scree-slopes and ridges. The dazzling diversity of forms and colors within this group reflects a similar diversity of physiological adaptations and life history strategies. Consider, for example, the ecological biographical, morphological and physiological spectra represented by just three of our 450 species of forbs – Scamman’s Spring beauty (Claytonia scammaniana), Yellow Pond Lily (Nuphar polysepalum), and Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia).

image of Round-leaved sundew
Round-leaved Sundew
Info on sundews
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image of scamman's spring beauty
Scamman's Spring Beauty
Info on Scamman's Spring Beauty
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image of yellow pond lily
Yellow Pond Lily
Info on Yellow Pond Lily
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Image of Denali National Park in the fall

Did You Know?
Did you know that Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska is nearly 6 million acres and over 9,419 square miles in size?

Last Updated: July 22, 2010 at 22:45 MST