Commonly seen flowers at Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument is home to a plethora of plants, with an estimated Four hundred fifty-two species. Some of the more common and flashy plant you may find will be some of our common wild flowers

Common Sunflower with Saddle Rock behind it.

NPS/ BWagner

Common Sunflower

Helianthus annuus

Blooms from mid to late summer.

The sunflower we are familiar with is just one of 70 different species. Helianthus annuus is a naturally occurring sunflower to the area. It grows in bunches and is much smaller than the ones you may be familiar with.

Narrow-Leaved Musineon growing out of a rock.

NPS image

Narrow-Leaved Musineon

Musineon tenuifolium

Blooms in early summer.

One of the first Flowers to bloom here at the monument. They can be spotted popping out of the rocks all around the bluff; as a sign that summer is fast approaching!

White death Camas

NPS image

Death Camas

Zigadenus venenosus

Typically blooms from May to June

Not named for its flavor, all parts of the plant are poisonous. It is very dangerous for humans and animals alike. Consumption of even a small amount could be fatal.

Blue and Purple penstemon

NPS image

Narrowleaf Penstemon

Penstemon angustifolius

Blooms around April to June

Its beautiful flowers attract a variety of native bees and butterflies. Penstemon is also know as beardtongues, which is a very large genus of approximately 250 species! So many types it might be hard to decide your favorite.

Showy Milkweed

NPS image

Showy Milkweed

Asclepias speciosa

Normally blooms from June to august.

Not only a beautiful flower but also famously a very important host plant for the caterpillars of monarch butterflies as well as many others.

Hood's Phlox

NPS image

Hood's Phlox

Phlox hoodii

Typically blooms from April to May.

Phlox can be found throughout North America in diverse range of habitats, everywhere from alpine to prairie to woodland. Their color can be as wide as their range from light blue to dark red. But around the bluff you probably just find the simple white Hood’s Phlox.

Hoary Vervain

NPS image

Hoary Vervain

Verbena stricta

Blooms through most of the summer.

Hoary Vervain, also known as verbena, is in the family Verbenaceae. is a beautiful purple flower that starts blooming at the bottom of the flower and then blooms its way up.

Groundsel

NPS image

Groundsel

Senecio sp.

Typically blooms from April to June.

Groundsel are a species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae. There are many types of Groundsels throughout the world!

Showy Peavine

NPS image

Showy Peavine

Lathyrus polymorphu

Blooms in ealy summer.

The Showy peavine is a relatively small plant, growing three to six inches in height. Grows statewide with pink/violet flowers.Toxic to animals when eaten, can cause paralysis of limbs.

Dotted Gayfeather

NPS image

Dotted Gayfeather

Liatris punctata

Blooms in late summer to early fall.

This drought tolerant plant can be crushed and made into a tea that can be used as a diuretic. Historically the root could be made into a powder and used as a poultice to reduce swelling of joints or injuries.