Native plants for Yellowstone County, Montana
278 native plants recorded in Yellowstone County, Montana
The USDA plant database has 531 plants recorded growing wild in Yellowstone County. 278 of them are native to the lower 48, and 140 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 184 wildflowers and herbs, 22 grasses and sedges, 16 shrubs, 40 low woody plants, 13 trees, 3 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 110 of them (40%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Common pepperweed (Lepidium densiflorum) and 9 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Yellowstone County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 110 | 0 | 168 |
| Half shade | 100 | 10 | 168 |
| Under trees | 66 | 44 | 168 |
| Heavy clay | 56 | 54 | 168 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 83 | 27 | 168 |
| Never watered | 77 | 33 | 168 |
| Stays soggy | 36 | 74 | 168 |
Sun all day in Yellowstone County: 110 rated natives
56 wildflowers and herbs, 15 low woody plants, 12 shrubs, 12 trees, 12 grasses and sedges, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Holboell's rockcress (Arabis holboellii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Half shade in Yellowstone County: 100 rated natives
51 wildflowers and herbs, 14 low woody plants, 12 shrubs, 10 grasses and sedges, 10 trees, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Modoc hawksbeard (Crepis modocensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in Yellowstone County: 66 rated natives
31 wildflowers and herbs, 10 low woody plants, 9 grasses and sedges, 8 trees, 7 shrubs, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Modoc hawksbeard (Crepis modocensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Heavy clay in Yellowstone County: 56 rated natives
31 wildflowers and herbs, 9 grasses and sedges, 5 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 5 trees, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Longstalk clover (Trifolium longipes) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Longstalk starwort (Stellaria longipes) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Modoc hawksbeard (Crepis modocensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.4 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Silverweed cinquefoil (Argentina anserina) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Textile onion (Allium textile) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Utah sweetvetch (Hedysarum boreale) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Yellowstone County: 83 rated natives
39 wildflowers and herbs, 13 low woody plants, 11 trees, 10 shrubs, 7 grasses and sedges, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Holboell's rockcress (Arabis holboellii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in Yellowstone County: 77 rated natives
32 wildflowers and herbs, 13 low woody plants, 12 shrubs, 9 trees, 8 grasses and sedges, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - 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 - Downy paintedcup (Castilleja sessiliflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - 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 - 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 - Old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Plains pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in Yellowstone County: 36 rated natives
23 wildflowers and herbs, 7 trees, 4 grasses and sedges, 1 low woody plants, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- 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 - Sea milkwort (Glaux maritima) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - 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 - 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 - Cutleaf waterparsnip (Berula erecta) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil · toxicity: slight - Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 4.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Largeflower triteleia (Triteleia grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Silverweed cinquefoil (Argentina anserina) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Natives Yellowstone County has that most of Montana does not
12 natives here are on file in no more than 3 of Montana's 56 counties. A few of them:
- Nineanther prairie clover (Dalea enneandra): only here
- Western daisy fleabane (Erigeron bellidiastrum): only here
- Desert centaury (Centaurium exaltatum): 2 counties
- Whitestem pondweed (Potamogeton praelongus): 2 counties
- Green carpetweed (Mollugo verticillata): 2 counties
- Barratt's willow (Salix barrattiana): 2 counties
- Crested pricklypoppy (Argemone polyanthemos): 3 counties
- Cutleaf waterparsnip (Berula erecta): 3 counties
- Skeletonleaf bur ragweed (Ambrosia tomentosa): 3 counties
- Elliptic spikerush (Eleocharis elliptica): 3 counties
Where to start in Yellowstone County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Yellowstone County gives you the most rated choice (110 plants), and American vetch (Vicia americana) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 36 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 168 unrated natives too.