Wildflowers
Here are eight wildflowers commonly found in the Seeley Lake and Swan valleys. Can you identify them?
The first four are “early” arrivals and it might be necessary to look for them at higher elevations as it gets warmer.
Flower 1
Glacier Lilly
This is one of the first flowers to appear after the snow melts.
Flower 2
Shooting Star
Like their namesake, these beauties are here and then gone almost in the blink of an eye.
Flower 3
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Clusters of these tend to cover south facing slopes, such as along Salmon Lake.
Flower 4
Fairy Slipper
A member of the orchid family. You'll need a good eye to spot this one.
Flower 5
Arnica
Appears as single plants and flowers. Not to be confused with Arrowleaf Balsamroot, which grow in clusters.
Flower 6
Silky Lupine
Also known as 'Bluebonnets' in some parts of the country.
Flower 7
Scarlet Paintbrush
In the past, often called 'Indian Paintbrush'.
Flower 8
Fireweed
Lives up to its name as it often sprouts up in burned areas.
Flowers you may find in the Seeley-Swan Valleys
Reference Sources
Plants of Waterton-Glacier National Parks and the Northern Rockies
by Richard J. Shaw, Danny On
Mountain Press Publishing, 1979, reprinted 1999
A field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers
by John J. craighead, Frank C. Craighead, Jr., and Ray J. Davis
Houghton Mifflin Company Boston, 1963
Native Wildflowers and Bees of Western Montana, a USFS Guide in pdf format
Text: Susan Reel, Design and Native Plant Illustrations: Nancy Seiler, Bee Illustrations: Steve Buchanan
produced by the Lolo National Forest, Download Here
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/documents/NativeWildflowersBeesWesternMontana.pdf
Photos by J. Harrits unless noted.