Explore Plants

Welcome to EXPLORE PLANTS home of the Native Plant Information Network (NPIN). Our goal is to assemble and disseminate information that will encourage the cultivation, conservation and preservation of wildflowers and other native flora throughout North America. We are constantly making improvements to NPIN so let us know how we are doing by emailing the NPIN Director.
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Native Plant Database - Search 6,909 native plant records by traits or names.
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Regional Spotlight: Rocky Mountain

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Native plant: Mertensia ciliata (Mountain bluebells, Tall fringe bluebells, Tall fringed bluebells) Several 1-3 ft. stems emerge in a clump from the woody root of tall fringe bluebells or mountain bluebells. Smooth, succulent leaves are crowded along these stems. A plant with clumps of leafy stems and loose clusters of narrowly bell-shaped, blue flowers turning pink with age. Pendent clusters of clear blue, tubular flowers exude a mild fragrance. Root crowns and rhizomes spread over time, forming extensive patches.
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Mr. Smarty Plants: I have been to Austin a few times, but never during wildflower season. Can you suggest to me what would be the ideal time to come?
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Supplier: A V Seeds (Longmont, CO) We supply the majority of our native seed and seed mixes to reclamation and revegetation companies. We have five branches in three states.
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Organization: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (Vail, CO)
Collects and displays herbaceous plants, trees and shrubs primarily native to the North American Rocky Mountains; public education on plants which grow in mountain region.
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Book: "Plants of the Tahoe Basin: Flowering Plants, Trees, & Ferns" (University of California Press) Amazon.com This is the first comprehensive illustrated guide to the trees, ferns, and flowering plants of the Tahoe Basin. Covering more than 600 species, many of them rare, and with over 300 color photographs, here is the most complete and up-to-date wildflower guide available for this floristically rich region.
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