Iron Range Wildflowers

Minnesota's State Flower, the Showy Lady-slipper. A native perennial, 1-2', found in fens, swamps, drainages. Flowers, 1-3 on a stalk, have a large white and pink pouch with narrow, white petals. Blooms in June-July. The scientific name Cypripedium reginae means "queen's slipper." The hairs on the large veiny leaves and stalk of this and other Cypripediums may cause severe rashes.On the following pages, you will find images and highlights on 50 of the most common wildflowers of northern Minnesota. More than 42% of the northern part of the state is public land, offering many habitats for you to explore - including white cedar swamps, pine forests, rich fens, raised bogs, aspen forests and many other native plant communities. Contact a local land management agency for information on nearby public land.

Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Northern Minnesota's wildflowers are lovely to look at.... but please, leave them in the ground for everyone to enjoy.

Blue to Purple. Harebell Northern Blue Flag Blue Giant-hyssop Asters Violet
Purple to Pink. Small Purple-fringed Orchid Blazing Star Fireweed Gaywings Round-lobed Hepatica
Pink. Wild Rose Stemless Lady-slipper Spotted Joe-Pye Weed Twinflower Spreading Dogbane
Pink to Red. Spotted Coral-root Rose Twisted-stalk Swamp Milkweed Pitcher Plant Columbine
Orange to Yellow. Wood Lily Indian Paintbrush Spotted Touch-me-not Yellow Lady-slipper Black-eyed Susan

Yellow. Hoary Puccoon Goldenrod Common Marsh-marigold Large-flowered Bellwort Common Evening-primrose
Yellow-Green to White. Bluebead Lily Jack-in-the-pulpit Naked Miterwort Common False Solomon's-seal Canada Mayflower
White. Bloodroot Blueberry Bunchberry Common Strawberry Cow-parsnip Indian Pipe Large-flowered Trillium Pearly Everlasting Red Baneberry Shinleaf Starflower Tussock Cotton-grass Wild Calla Wintergreen Wood Anemone

Most public agencies require permits to remove wildflowers from land managed by the agency and certain plants (including all orchids, trilliums, and lilies) are given some protections by Minnesota Statue 17.28, known as the Wildflower Act. In addition, Minnesota has a list of state endangered, threatened, and special concern species. Copies of this list may be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Photos and information contained within the following pages are from the brochure of "Wildflowers of Minnesota's Northwoods" and are available from from the Minnesota DNR.