Besides being visually stunning, observing wildflowers can also inspire something in the human spirit, Debbink said.
“It’s an incredible plant that gets its name from its ability to quickly regrow after a fire.
Instead, just two weeks after the volcano erupted, fireweed sprouted in the dust.
I think there’s something inspiring about a plant that can do that.”
Or to think of it another way, we’re a part of the same community.
And wildflowers can enrich our lives with their beauty and their ecological benefits.
Different wildflowers bloom throughout the year, but spring and summer are prime time to observe blooms.
Seeps: Land is moist and fertile for wildflowers where groundwater and springs emerge from underground.
Thickets: Look for dense growth of trees and shrubs close together.
Try the identification tools below to learn more about the flowers you discover.
Online identification tools
PlantNet: Available online or as an app from the AppStore or Google Play.
Use your observations to determine the most likely identification.
iNaturalist: Available from AppStore or Google Play, this is the digital version of your old-school nature journal.
My WildflowersandWildflower Search: These two work very much like Discover Life.
You may need to try more than one site or search tool to find the best match.
It’s most helpful to use a field guide that’s specific to your state or region.
You found the flowers; now what?
It might be tempting to pluck those pretty blooms and take them home for yourselfbut not so fast.
I think photography is a simple and accessible way to preserve wildflowers without disturbing them," Debbink said.
“It also can help you to truly see a plant and study it.
If you take your time, it can even be a mindful practice.
The same is true of other visual arts like sketching or painting.”
Your interest and curiosity about wildflowers where you live can be the first step in supporting their growth.
It’s a pretty common scenario," Debbink said.
