Subalpine Wildflowers - Yellow/Orange
Full resolution versions of wildflower photos available on flickr. 
Bracted Lousewort NPS, Crow Vecchio Bracted Lousewort/Wood Betony Stem and leaves are hairless, with leaves divided into slender, toothed lobes. Flowers can sometimes be tinged purple, but usually appear yellowish. Growing to a height of 40 inches (100 cm), it is the tallest Lousewort species found in the park. 
Broadleaf Arnica NPS Photo, Steve Redman Broadleaf Arnica A common subalpine species; it can be found growing alone or in clustered groups formed from spreading rootstock. Stems reach about 20 inches (50 cm) in height, with oval, toothed leaves. 
Cascade Stonecrop NPS, Crow Vecchio Cascade Stonecrop Also known as Spreading Stonecrop, this plant grows to form spreading mats. Stems have thick bright green leaves, sometimes tinged with red. Usually found growing on cliff faces and stony slopes. 
Fan-leaf Cinquefoil NPS Photo Fan-leaf Cinquefoil A low, clustered perennial, with basal leaves with three, coarsely toothed leaflets. Common in higher elevation subalpine areas such as the Sunrise area.
An early season Glacier Lily pushs through snow (left); a clump of blooming Glacier Lilies (right). Glacier Lily Each plant usually boasts a single flower supported on a 6-12 inch (15-30 cm) long stem (unlike the 2-3 flowers per stem found on Avalanche Lilies), but often found growing in clumps of multiple individuals. Glacier lilies also bloom earlier than Avalanche Lilies or other flowers, sometimes even pushing through late-season snow in order to flower. 
Mountain Monkeyflower NPS Photo Mountain Monkeyflower Spreads via rootstock and runners to form small patches or mats, with branched stems ranging from 2-8 inches (5-20 cm) long. Commonly found along streams or areas of wet ground. 
Smooth Mountain Dandelion NPS, Crow Vecchio Smooth Mountain Dandelion Stems are leafless, supporting a single flower, with hairless basal leaves. Leaves may have a few teeth, pointing back to the base of the leaf. Common in moist subalpine areas though most frequently seen in the north and east sides of the park. |
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Subalpine Wildflowers - White
Identification guide for subalpine wildflower species with white flowers. Read More
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Subalpine Wildflowers - Blue/Purple
Identification guide for subalpine wildflower species with blue/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...