Forest Wildflowers - White
Full resolution versions of wildflower photos available on flickr. 
Candyflower NPS Photo Candyflower Also known as Siberian Miner's-Lettuce, this small-flowered plant has long-stemmed oval basal leaves in addition to paired leaves going up the stem. The flower petals are distinguished by faint pink stripes or can sometimes appear pinkish in color. It is common in moist forests up to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). 
Foamflower NPS Photo Foamflower Very common in moist forests, often forming dense carpets sprinkled with clusters of tiny white flowers like "specks of foam". Leaves mostly basal with three, toothed lobes. 
Hooded Ladies' Tresses NPS, Crow Vecchio Hooded Ladies' Tresses This plant features geometrically precise flowers arranged in rows of three twisting around the stem. Leaves are slender and mostly basal. Typically found in wet meadows, such as the Longmire Meadow, though can also colonize open, disturbed ground. 
Large-leaf Sandwort NPS Photo Moehringia macrophylla This plant has several leafy stems branching from spreading rootstock. Leaves are slender and lance-shaped, and each stem supports 2-6 white flowers. Common in moist, shady areas up to about 6,000 feet (1,800 meters). 
Rusty Saxifrage, with close-up of flower (inset). NPS Photo Rusty Saxifrage Also known as Alaska Saxifrage, this plant has mostly basal leaves with branched flowering stems 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall. Flowers are irregular, with 3 larger petals with two yellow spots and two smaller petals without spots. Petals are also distinctly stalked. Look for this flower along wet cliffs, mossy rock outcrops, and stream banks in mid to low elevations (2,500-6,000 feet/762-1,828 meters). 
Slender Bog Orchid NPS, Crow Vecchio Slender Bog Orchid The flowers of this orchid tend to appear greenish, which can make it difficult to spot amidst the park's lush lowland vegetation. Flowers form a loosely-arranged spike at the top of a 8-24 inch (20-60cm) tall stem, with alternating lance-shaped leaves along stem. Usually found in wet meadows along streams and springs. 
Vanilla Leaf NPS Photo Vanilla Leaf This widespread plant can be found throughout the park, particularly along roadsides. Leaves have three fan-shaped bluntly-toothed leaflets, supported on stalks about 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall. Numerous tiny flowers rise above the leaves in a white spike. 
Western Trillium NPS Photo Western Trillium This easily-recognizable and early-blooming flower features three leaves at the top of the stem framing a single flower with three large white petals. Very common throughout the park up to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). 
Wild Strawberry NPS Photo Wild Strawberry Much smaller than their agriculturally-grown relatives, wild strawberries produce bright red fruit less than half an inch (approx. 8 mm) long. Leaves are split into three, toothed, hairy leaflets. Commonly found growing in spreading patches in open woods, and along roadsides and trails. |
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Forest Wildflowers - Yellow/Orange
Identification guide for forest wildflower species with yellow/orange flowers. Read More
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Forest Wildflowers - Pink/Red/Purple
Identification guide for forest wildflower species with pink/red/purple flowers. Read More
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Subalpine Wildflowers - Pink/Red
Identification guide for subalpine wildflower species with pink/red flowers. Read More
Did You Know?
Floyd Schmoe was Mount Rainier's first full-time Park Naturalist. In 1923, he launched the park's "Nature Notes", a series of writings on various park-related topics. There are hundreds of editions of the notes in the park's collection, all of which are accessible through the Mount Rainier History & Culture webpage: More...