Lake Clark National Park & Preserve - Plants (U.S. National Park Service)

Spring's delicate shoots can grow to over six feet high by mid-summer.

Stalks of the wild celery plant (also known as pushki
or cow parsnip) are edible. They're also risky - if
you're allergic to it, the plant's liquids can cause
a rash when affected skin is exposed to the sun.

The Lake Clark area is special for its diversity of flowers, plants, trees, and lichen in a relatively small area. Four of the five biotic communities found in Alaska - coastal, lakes/rivers/wetlands, tundra, and forest - exist in the park.

An illustrated list of common plants can be found here.

For more information on the flowers, plants, and trees found in the Lake Clark area, see the following publications and websites:

Tanaina Plant Lore by Priscilla Russell Kari. Alaska Natural History Association.
The Alaska-Yukon Wildflowers Guide, edited by Helen A. White. Alaska Northwest Publishing Company. This title is out of print but available at used book stores.
The USDA PLANTS database has a comprehensive list of plants in Alaska.
The Alaska Science Forum Plants Section links to recent media articles on plants.

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