Alaska Wildflower Photos
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Wildflowers of Alaska
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolim)
 Fireweed is one of the first plants to re colonize the ground following a forest fire. © Patrick J. endres
Alaska's long summer days and widely varied climate create
a choice environment for a spectacular variety of wildflowers. Alaska's most well know wildflower is the fireweed, (Epilobium
angustifolium) which reaches peak bloom by late July and early
August (depending on geography). Many roadside corridors are enflamed in pink with this abundant
wildflower. Fireweed honey, is a delicately flavored honey,
gathered by some honey bees whose hives are situated near
large fields of fireweed. The many blossomed plant blooms
first at the bottom, and an old Alaskan saying claims that
by the time the fireweed blossoms at the very top, the first
snowfall is only six weeks away.
Siberian Flox
 This colorful plant grows close to the ground on the high mountain ridges in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. © Patrick J. endres
Alaska's short, but aggressive growing season yields fields
of wildflower color in the summer months.
Over the years,
plants have adapted to endure great winds and cool temperatures
in high mountain meadows, often displaying flowers that bloom
close to the ground, or have special insulating qualities
to protect them from the chill.
Alaska Poppies (Papaver alaskanaum)
 Alaska poppies in Highway Pass in Denali National Park road. © Patrick J. endres
In spite of such rugged conditions, blankets of color fill
valleys and cover meadows, like this yellow field of Alaska
poppies (Papaver alaskanum) at nearly 4000 feet elevation
in Highway Pass, along the Denali National Park road. It is
a wonder that the small petals of this delicate plant remain
attached amidst the blustery winds that rip across the alpine
tundra!
Frigid Shooting Star (Dodecatheon frigidum)
 Shooting stars prefer wet tundra and bloom in June/July. © Patrick J. Endres
The Frigid Shooting Star (Dodecatheon frigidum) is
most abundant in, wet tundra meadows and alpine slopes from
June to mid-July. It gets its name from its unique shape,
and blooms to about 10" high with magenta flowers with
a white ring. As is common with a number of Alaska wildflowers,
there are a few variations to the Shooting star, and it may
differ slightly in height based on location and climate.
Wild Iris (Iris virginica)
 Wild Iris. © Patrick J. Endres
Alaska's Wild Iris can be found in the interior
and the southern parts of the state in June, one of the summer's
earliest blooming flowers. It often grows in clusters and sometimes even in large fields filled with the drooping purple blossom.
It prefers wet environments, and
is commonly viewed along roadside ditches and marshy areas that
hold moisture well.
It's delicate petals range from light to
deep, rich purple, and photographers are often observed crouched
in the roadside flower patches, lost in the splendor and design
of this elegant plant.
It is also used as a decorative plant for landscaping, and some locals have been known to harvest bulbs from the roadside patches to transplant around their home as garden elements.
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