84 images as of May 31, 2026
Alpine Spring Beauty
Located just below MacDonald Pass along the Continental Divide Trail. Mid-May 2023
Blue-eyed Mary, white flower
Typically blue colored as the name suggests, this one was found along the Mini-ridge trail. It’s blue-eyed sibling is shown just above.
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Buckwheat, Parsnipflower
Bunchberry Dogwood
Chickweed, Field
There are several non-native look-a-likes, but I am certain this one is the native species. Found along Emmett’s Ridge.
Chickweed, Bering Sea
There are several non-native look-a-likes, but I am certain this one is one of the native species. Found along the limstone flats area of the Entertainment trail.
Clustered Broomrape
Tube shaped stalks and flowers that are sometimes yellow or pink. Parasitic plant that is mostly dormant and underground living off of its host plant. This one was along the Norris trail on the east flanks of the Scratchgravels.
Cryptantha, Montana
This one was found along the Seven Siters trail in mid-May 2024. I learned this as Miner’s Candle. But that is actually a different plant altogether.
Cut-leaved Anemone, white flower
Fleabane, Caespitose
There are a lot of fleabane species in the Helena Valley. This one was on Mt. Helena in early August 2026
Fleabane, Cutleaf
There are a lot of fleabane species in the Helena Valley. This one was on Mt. Helena in mid-May
Dotted Blazing Star or Gayfeather- Native
I have never seen tthis plant flower in white. It is, in my experience, typically purple/pink. This one really stood out. Found it on the northfacing slope of Mt. Helena.
Douglas’ Dusty Maiden
Located along the Norris Trail on the east slopes of the Scratchgravels
Fairybells, Hooker’s
I almost missed this one. Typically found closer to Glacier Park. This one was on the back of Mt. Helena.
Fairybell, Wartberry
Located along the Mini-ridge Trail. Several more were found under the bridge at the start of the 1906 Trail in mid-May
False Solomon’s Seal
Another pretty white flower found on the backside of Mt. Helena. Several more at the top of the accessible trail.
False Solomon’s Seal, Starry
Small white petals. I’ve only found this in very damp conditions on the south side on Mt. Helena in damp, north facing ravines. Found lots at the start of the Rodney Bike Course near Dry Gulch
Field Locoweed
Fleabane, Spreading
Grove Sandwort
Found along the upper reach of the Waterline trail in June 2025. The stem for this flower is the treadlike structure that snakes across the leaf of another plant. Delicate and beatuiful.
Hairy Valerian
This one was on Mount Helena- Diretissema Trail in May, 2024. Typically found along the damper parts of most trails with a bit of elevation.
Harebell (white)
Harebells are one of my favorite species of wildflower. Prior to the summer of 2021, I didn’t know Harebells ever had white flowers. My good friend sent me a picture of one in ‘21 and I was hopeful that I’d see one in ‘22. This patch was along the Continental Divide Trail near Mullan Pass.
Hooker’s Townsendia, a.k.a Hooker’s Townsend-daisy
All over in the Bitterroot/Quarry/Feaver/Cormier area. April 2024
Ipomopsis, Ballhead
There is a small patch of this on an old trail that follws the ridgeline coming off of Emmet’s near the junction with the cutover from Mini-ridge. May 2024
Lewis’ Blue Flax, white flower
Small population of them along the Little Moab Trail. Possibly Common Flax- Linum usitatissimum.
Lewis’ Mock Orange
This is one of the best smelling plants in the woods around Helena. I love finding this one!
Mariposa Lily
Found a small cluster of these along the path to the location of the first Masonic meeting in Montana near the top of Mullan Pass.
Milkvetch, Alpine
Near the Bridge on the Ambrose trail just above the parking area at the Mount Helena trailhead
Milkvetch, Pursh’s
Middle Seven Sisters Trail. May 2024. Pursh’s and Woollypod are sub-species of Astragalus Purshii This may be either sub-species, it’s very hard to tell from a picture.
Milkvetch, Threeleaf
Lower Prairie area on NE side of Mount Helena- Bitterroot trails area
Milkvetch, Woollypod
Lower Prairie area on NE side of Mount Helena. Pursh’s and Woollypod are sub-species of Astragalus Purshii This may be either sub-species, its very hard to tell from a picture.
Narrow-leaf Four-o’clock
Maybe my new ‘oddball name for a plant’ winner. This one was blooming on September 11, 2023 along the Norris Trail in the Scratchgravel Hills
Paintbrush, Cusick’s
This seems to be found in very damp places. Often near Red and/or Showy Paintbrush in my experience. This was found along the Tenmile Environmental trail in May of 2026.
Paintbrush, Pallid
This seems to be found in very damp places. Often near Red and/or Showy Paintbrush in my experience. This was found along the Tenmile Environmental trail in May of 2026.
Pearly Everlasting
Located in the forested, lower portion of Emmett’s Trail. May 29, 2023
Pygmy-flower Rock-jasmine
Small and low to the ground, but all over Mt. Helena starting mid-june.
Saxifrage, Alpine Brook
Scorpionweed, Silverleaf
Shooting Star – white flower type 1
Located near the “Bitterroot Saddle area on the NE flank of Mt. Helena. Notice the slender petals, yellow ring and dark point. Mid-May 2023.
Shooting Star – white flower type 2
Located along the 1906 trail mid-May 2023. Notice thick reflected petals, all yellow ring and point. I think these two white Shooting Stars are different species.
Snow-spring Parsley
Located along the limestone flats alonf the Entertainment trail on the backside of Mount Ascension. April 2024
Strawberry, Woodland
Note the leaves are veiny. Found along the Road to Mars Trail late-May 2023
Strawberry, Virginia
Unknown location and date. Smooth leaves are the hallmark of the Virginia Strawberry
Sundew, English
Private fenland area in the Yaak in July 2026
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Ten Petal Blazing Star
Large creamy white flowers; angry looking leaves. Leaves look very much like a thistle or other “pricker plant”. Found 2-3 dozen plants along the train tracks in central Helena- between Carroll College and Barney Park. These plants bloom only at night, so I tend to find them in the early morning before they close up.
Tufted Evening Primrose
This plant blooms at night with a white flower that ‘fades’ to pink the next day. The pink flower is shown in the ‘pink flower’ section.
Utah Honeysuckle
Located at the first switchback of the 10 Mile Environmental Trail on May 27, 2023
Violet, Canada
Canada Violets are almost blue/almost rose. Located at the back of the 10 Mile Environmental Trail, May 31 2026.
Wand-shaped Phacelia, Virgate Scorpion-weed
This one is new to me- I’m pretty certain of the identification.
Western Serviceberry, or Saskatoon Serviceberry
Located all over Mount Helena and Mount Ascension
Yarrow
Needs ID