30 Common Types Of Arkansas Wildflowers Including Photos

Arkansas is known as the natural state.  This is because of the vast array of stunning natural beauty that is on offer here.

Whether you are in search of majestic mountains or fantastic forests, there are plenty of stunning natural landscapes that you can explore in the state. 

Because of all the stunning natural beauty that covers Arkansas, there is no shortage of wildflowers that you can find when exploring. No matter what environment you are walking in, there is a wide range of wildflowers that you will come across.

Below are some of the most common types of wildflowers in Arkansas.  We have included photos to help you identify them more easily.

Purple Arkansas Wildflowers

Some of the most striking wildflowers that can be found in Arkansas are purple.  Below are some of the most beautiful, purple wildflowers that are commonly found in the Arkansas scenery.

1. Downy Phlox

The wildflower known as the Downy Phlox has an interesting name but its appearance is simply stunning.

The petals boast a gloriously rich shade of purple that exudes the spirit of summer. You are most likely to find this stunning flower in rocky and dry areas of Arkansas during the summer months.

2. Bird’s Foot Violet

The Bird’s Foot Violet is also known as the Mountain Pansy which gives you a clue as to where you are likely to find this delicate wildflower.

The unusual name of this flower comes from the leaves which are deeply divided and somewhat resemble the shape of a bird’s foot. You are most likely to find this beautiful wildflower in mountainous areas throughout Arkansas. 

3. Wild Bergamot

Wild Bergamot is a very striking and noticeable wildflower that you can find in Arkansas. It is a great source of food for pollinators such as bees and other insects. This flower produces a wonderful fragrance that is sometimes used for perfume.

The petals boast a vibrant shade of purple that is incredibly enticing for pollinators and helps the plant to reproduce.  You can find this beautiful plant in open meadows with plenty of sunlight.  

4. Blazing Star Flowers

Another native wildflower is the Blazing Star flower. This is a flower that has a long-lasting bloom that lasts from summer through to the start of fall.

The flowers adorn the entire length of the stem which can grow up to 4 feet tall. The flowers on this plant are more spread out than they are on its dense counterpart.

This is a hardy plant that is capable of growing in multiple conditions as long as there is good drainage to protect the roots.  

5. Ohio Spiderwort

The Ohio Spiderwort is the most common and widely distributed tradescantia species in the US. Despite its delicate appearance, this is an incredibly hardy plant that is capable of growing in some of the hardest conditions.

With that being said, the Ohio Spiderwort thrives in full sun and you are most likely to find this wildflower in meadows, prairies, and other open spaces.

This plant can grow up to 3 feet tall and 30 inches wide.  It is self-seeding and can become aggressive if it is in optimum conditions for growth. 

6. Rose Vervain

The wildflower known as Rose Vervain has a much richer hue than the other purple flowers that we have looked at. This is another hardy wildflower that can thrive in unfavorable conditions.

The flowers of this plant are perfectly showcased against the dark green foliage that it produces. You are most likely to find this wildflower creeping over rocky areas.

This plant spreads quickly and blooms from late spring to late summer giving you plenty of time to glimpse its beauty. 

7. Purple Coneflower

The Purple Coneflower is a plant that looks very similar to a daisy that has wilted petals. Thankfully. Its petals are supposed to look like that. The purple hue of this flower is very gentle and exudes feelings of spring.

This plant can grow to a height of 3 feet and blooms throughout spring and summer, giving you plenty of time to see it.  You are most likely to find this wildflower in open prairies, barren land, and on the edge of sparsely populated woodlands.  

8. Pale Purple Coneflower

A very close relative of the Purple Coneflower is the Pale Purple Coneflower. These two wildflowers are difficult to tell apart but there are a few differences that can help you. The Pale Purple Coneflower blooms 2-3 weeks earlier. The petals are also different.

On the Pale Purple Coneflower, the petals are thinner which makes them look more sparse. You would be forgiven for thinking they had lost some petals. This is another wildflower that is likely to be found in prairies and open meadows. 

9. Arkansas Beard Tongue

The Arkansas Beard Tongue wildflower is part of the plantain family. This flower can bloom with pink, red, white, or purple flowers. Rarely, you can spot an Arkansas Beard Tongue with yellow flowers.

The name Beard Tongue comes from the fifth stamen on the flower that doesn’t have any pollen on it. As it protrudes, it looks similar to a beard. This wildflower blooms for about a month between late April and early June in open woodland areas. 

10. Stalked Wild Petunia

The Stalked Wild Petunia is a small wildflower that generally produces blue or violet flowers.  This wildflower is native to the United States and blooms in the spring.

Each flower features 5 petals that have an appearance that is similar to crinkled tissue paper.  Despite the incredibly delicate appearance of these flowers, they are daily hardy plants.  

You are most likely to find this wildflower in open meadows where they have access to plenty of sunshine. You may also be able to see them along railroad tracks, roadsides, and even glades.

They are less likely to be found in areas that are prone to flooding or where there is a lot of competition from other, taller plants. 

11. Showy Evening Primrose

Another native wildflower is the delicate Showy Evening Primrose. The beautiful pale pink coloring of the petals makes them look like they are straight out of a painting.

This is a flower that manages to make a home in the strangest of places. You are likely to see this plant along the roadsides throughout Arkansas.  You will also see this plant blooming along shores and in open spaces. 

12. Downy Lobelia

The Downy Lobelia was the most difficult wildflower to categorize as the flowers are often referred to as blue, but they appear with a more purple hue. This tall wildflower can grow as tall as 1 m in height.

The flowers bloom along the length of the stem. In order to thrive, this plant prefers moist soil and plenty of sunlight. You are most likely to find this wildflower growing in roadside ditches, woodland, and along riverbanks where there is plenty of moisture.  

Yellow Arkansas Wildflowers

If you are interested in Arkansas wildflowers that are the epitome of summer beauty, these yellow-colored flowers could be just what you are looking for. 

13. Black-Eyed Susan

The Black-Eyed Susan is a wildflower that is hard to miss when you are on a hike or driving. The petals boast a stunningly vibrant shade of yellow.

The petals surround the black and purple center which makes a remarkable contrast.  These beautiful flowers are most commonly found along roadsides in Arkansas. 

14. Goldenrod

Another wildflower that is native to North America is the Goldenrod, a herbaceous perennial flower. This plant is one of the most easily identifiable wildflowers in Arkansas thanks to beautiful, conical, bright yellow flowers.

This plant can grow up to 24 inches tall and the stems arch as they hold onto the plumes of vibrant flowers.

The stunning sprigs of yellow flowers bloom from later summer into fall, providing a few final weeks of color.  You are most likely to find this wildflower in open meadows and prairies.

15. Plains Coreopsis

The Plains Coreopsis wildflowers boast stunningly vibrant patterns on their overlapping petals. The red and yellow flowers sit atop a tall and slim stem that can grow to a height of 3 feet.

The ratio of yellow to red coloring on the petals can vary wildly from flower to flower. One of the best things about this gorgeous flower is that it has a long bloom time from June to September.

This gives you a long period of time to find and appreciate these wildflowers. If you want to glimpse these flowers, they like to grow in prairies, thickets, rights-of-way, and on the edge of woodlands.  

16. Tickseed

These beautiful wildflowers may look incredibly similar to the Plains Coreopsis that we just talked about.  That is because they are also part of the Coreopsis family.

The red portion of the petals on this flower is significantly smaller than on the Plains Coreopsis. The brightly colored flowers bloom from summer into fall.

You are most likely to find these gorgeous plants blooming in areas with calcareous soil or in open woodland across the state.  Tickseed often grows in clusters. 

17. Evening Primrose

Evening Primrose is the more common version of the Showy Evening Primrose plant that we looked at above. Despite the significant differences in appearance, these two species are incredibly similar.

Evening Primrose is also great at growing in difficult locations and environments. You are likely to see this plant along the roadsides throughout Arkansas.

Red Arkansas Wildflowers

Other than purple wildflowers, the most common color of wildflowers that you will be able to find in Arkansas is red.  Below are some of the most common red wildflowers from the natural state. 

18. Spider Lily

Despite the slightly off-putting name for arachnophobes, the spider lily is a stunningly beautiful flower that is incredibly dynamic. A single, intricate flower blooms at the top of each stem.

The flower is made up of larger petals that curl inwards to protect the stamen and thinner petals that curl upwards. These petals give the flower a unique shape. You are most likely to find this gorgeous wildflower in marshlands, wetlands, and around the banks of streams and ponds. 

19. Indian Paintbrush

The Indian Paintbrush wildflower is also known as Prairie-Fire. This gives you a good idea of where you can find this beautiful wildflower in Arkansas.

The beautiful red and orange petals of this flower adorn meadows and prairies from late spring and early summer.

They get their name from the fact that they look like paintbrushes dipped in paint.  These incredible wildflowers are great at attracting birds and other wildlife to areas where they grow.  

20. Red Clover

The Red Clover wildflower is a member of the beans and peas family. It has often been used to treat menopause symptoms, asthma, and arthritis in traditional medicine.

This wildflower is native to Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. It was most likely introduced to North America by early settlers.

The plant can grow to 31 inches tall, and a single stem produces a cluster of small red/purple flowers at the top, attracting bumblebees.  This flower enjoys growing in meadows, riverbanks, and roadsides. 

21. Butterfly Weed

Another native wildflower is the Butterfly Weed. This stunning flower is an incredible source of pollen and nectar for pollinators. This wildflower can grow up to 2 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide.

Monarch butterflies, in particular, are attracted to the vibrant red cluster of flowers that bloom at the top of the stem.

The blooms typically last for around two months between June and August.  Butterfly Weed thrives in full sunshine and average moisture levels.  Because of this, you are most likely to find them in open meadows and prairies.  

22. Trumpet Vine

Another incredible red wildflower that you can find in Arkansas is the Trumpet Vine. As the name suggests, this is a vine plant that loves to climb walls, fences, and even trees. You are most likely to find this stunning flower during the later summer and into fall.

The flowers bloom in clusters on the end of off-shoots from the main vine (if you’re looking for vines with great purple flowers, read here).  The Trumpet Vine most commonly grows in woodlands and along riverbanks.

23. Mexican Hat

Not only does this wildflower have an interesting name, but it also has a really interesting appearance.  The center of the flower sticks out like a dome above the petals.

Instead of sitting flat or curving up, the petals grow downward as if they are drooping. The petals boast a stunning red and yellow hue. This is a particularly hardy plant that blooms from late spring to summer and can be found along roadsides and prairies.  

24. Cardinal Flower

The origin of the name that has been bestowed upon this flower is obvious.

The stunningly vibrant red color of the petals on this flower instantly reminds you of the plumage of the stunning cardinal bird.  Despite the similarities, that isn’t the bird that this flower attracts.

Rather, it is hummingbirds that enjoy the nectar of this Arkansas wildflower. 

Blue Arkansas Wildflowers

There are also plenty of stunning blue wildflowers that you can find when taking a stroll through nature in Arkansas.

25. Carolina Larkspur

The delicate flowers of the Carolina Larkspur boast an incredibly rich shade of blue. This wildflower is most commonly found in rocky environments and in glades throughout Arkansas.

These beautiful, small flowers bloom early in the spring and provide a refreshing burst of color after the harshness of winter. 

26. Violet Blue-Eyed Mary

The Violet Blue-Eyed Mary is also known as the Creeping Forget-Me-Not. The Blue-Eyed Mary is a wildflower that is native to North America and blooms annually between April and May.

This is a wildflower that can be found deep in valleys and in areas of moist soil at the bottom of slopes throughout Arkansas.

With that being said, this wildflower has sadly become endangered in New York and Tennessee (Also check out Common Types Of Tennessee Wildflowers), therefore, it is a good idea to see it while you can. 

White Arkansas Wildflowers

Finally, Arkansas is home to some stunning white wildflowers that bloom throughout the summer and spring months.  

27. Ox-Eyed Daisy

As the name suggests, the Ox-Eyed daisy is a member of the daisy family. The appearance of this wildflower is extremely similar to the daisies that you will be used to seeing in your garden or green areas.

The main difference is that the Ox-Eyed daisy is much larger than the common daisy. A single flower blooms at the end of a  dark green stem.  You are most likely to find this flower in grassland and meadows. 

28. Queen Anne’s Lace

The name of this wildflower comes from a legend involving Queen Anne of England. The story states that she pricked her finger while sewing and a drop of blood fell onto the white lace.

When this flower is crushed, it smells similar to carrots. This flower enjoys dry areas with plenty of sunshine.  It most commonly grows on roadsides, woodland, or meadows. 

29. Roughleaf Dogwood

This wildflower is categorized as a shrub and produces clumps of small white flowers. The name comes from the rough texture that covers the leaves. It is this detail that separates it from gray dogwood.

The plant often grows up to 6 m tall. This is an incredibly hardy plant that can adapt to different environments. You will most likely find this plant on the edges of woodland.

30. White Wild Indigo

One of the most striking wildflowers in Arkansas is the White Wild Indigo. The plant grows to around 48 inches tall and the delicate white flowers adorn almost the entire length of the stem.

This is an incredibly widely distributed plant that can be found in multiple locations across the state. This plant thrives in full sunlight and can be commonly found in prairies and meadows.  

Final Thoughts

There are so many beautiful wildflowers that can be found across the state of Arkansas. The types of wildflowers that grow in the state can be found in all different types of environments and habitats.

Best of all, there are plenty of long-bloom flowers that give you a greater chance to catch a glimpse of these stunning plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

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