Native plants for Whitman County, Washington

789 native plants recorded in Whitman County, Washington

The USDA plant database has 1,465 plants recorded growing wild in Whitman County. 789 of them are native to the lower 48, and 291 are introduced species that this page leaves out.

By type: 495 wildflowers and herbs, 130 grasses and sedges, 45 shrubs, 61 low woody plants, 45 trees, 13 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 315 of them (40%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis) and 19 more are also recorded as introduced.

What fits each kind of spot in Whitman County

Sun all day in Whitman County: 315 rated natives

138 wildflowers and herbs, 81 grasses and sedges, 33 trees, 31 shrubs, 28 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
4. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
8. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Half shade in Whitman County: 253 rated natives

106 wildflowers and herbs, 66 grasses and sedges, 28 shrubs, 28 trees, 22 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
3. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
4. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
5. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
6. Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
8. Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance

Under trees in Whitman County: 155 rated natives

61 wildflowers and herbs, 44 grasses and sedges, 20 shrubs, 17 trees, 12 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Heavy clay in Whitman County: 170 rated natives

77 wildflowers and herbs, 57 grasses and sedges, 18 trees, 11 shrubs, 4 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
3. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Douglas' onion (Allium douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
5. Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
6. Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
7. Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Sandy, drains fast in Whitman County: 212 rated natives

82 wildflowers and herbs, 49 grasses and sedges, 30 trees, 28 shrubs, 20 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
2. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
3. Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
4. Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
5. Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
6. Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
7. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
8. Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial

Never watered in Whitman County: 156 rated natives

58 wildflowers and herbs, 35 grasses and sedges, 24 shrubs, 21 low woody plants, 16 trees, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
2. Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
3. Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
4. Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
5. Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
6. Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
7. Missouri goldenrod (Solidago missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
8. Munro's globemallow (Sphaeralcea munroana) low woody plants
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance

Stays soggy in Whitman County: 130 rated natives

59 wildflowers and herbs, 49 grasses and sedges, 14 trees, 4 shrubs, 3 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:

1. Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
2. Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
3. Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
4. Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
5. Tufted loosestrife (Lysimachia thyrsiflora) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
6. American licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
7. Broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
8. Canada germander (Teucrium canadense) wildflowers and herbs
   USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil

Natives Whitman County has that most of Washington does not

22 natives here are on file in no more than 2 of Washington's 39 counties. A few of them:

• Northwestern Indian paintbrush (Castilleja angustifolia): only here
• Lanceleaf tickseed (Coreopsis lanceolata): only here
• American plum (Prunus americana): only here
• Skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata): only here
• Lemmon's willow (Salix lemmonii): only here
• Pale serviceberry (Amelanchier pallida): only here
• Tufted fleabane (Erigeron caespitosus): only here
• Twoleaf beardtongue (Penstemon diphyllus): only here
• Prairie groundcherry (Physalis hispida): only here
• Remarkable goatsbeard (Tragopogon mirus): only here

Where to start in Whitman County

If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Whitman County gives you the most rated choice (315 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 130 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 475 unrated natives too.