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23.256.418.04/02

USDA Forest Service

Intermountain Region

Uinta National Forest

Wildflowers 

and Weeds

of the

Mount

Timpanogos

Wilderness

Wildflowers 

and Weeds

of the

Mount

Timpanogos

Wilderness

Utah Native

Plant Society

Uinta Visitor

Information

Association
Introduction

Welcome to the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness! This 

unique land is protected to maintain its integrity 

and natural beauty. Many attractions like wildlife, 

lakes, waterfalls, and wildflowers attract visitors. While 

hiking the Mount Timpanogos and Timpooneke trails, 

you will experience spectacular vistas and the incredible 

beauty of high alpine meadows. As you walk along the 

trail, you will also see changes in vegetation. Aspen, Douglas fir and Subalpine fir forests are established below the 

timberline, which transition to alpine meadows at about 

8,000 feet elevation. Aspen stands, which are found at 

lower elevations, provide excellent habitat for grasses and 

wildflowers. Some flowers to look for in aspen stands are 

columbines, bluebells, arnicas, larkspurs, and geraniums.

Douglas fir/subalpine fir stands usually occupy steep 

north facing slopes, with Douglas firs established at the 

lower end of these conifer forests. Common wildflowers 

in and around these forests are columbines, Indian paintbrushes, yarrows, leafy Jacobs’ ladder, and sulfur buckwheat.

Alpine ecosystems have high watershed and scenic 

values; they are fragile and recover slowly from disturbances. Many rare and endemic plants are also found in 

this landscape.

The best places to see wildflowers are Timpanogos 

Basin and Hidden Lakes. During late summer these meadows explode with a profusion of colorful wildflowers. 

Among them are bluebells, Indian paintbrushes, larkspurs, 

lupines, yarrows, and sulfur buckwheats. Mid-July through 

mid-September is excellent time for viewing wildflowers. 

There are countless wildflowers in the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. Use this brochure to identify the 

most abundant and commonly seen on the Mount Timpanogos and Timpooneke trails, and throughout the wilderness 

area. 

Other plants found at the base of the wilderness 

and along the trails are actually weeds. These unwanted 

weeds are entering the wilderness by humans and domestic animals. In this brochure, you will find information on 

some of the most common ones found in the area and tips 

to prevent their dispersal. 
Common Wildflowers of 

Timpanogos Wilderness

Mountain columbine, 

Aquilegia caerulea, grows 

in aspen, Douglas fir-white 

fir and spruce forests. This 

beautiful flower has pale 

to purplish blue sepals 

and blue to white petals 

that extend backwards 

into eagle talon-like spurs. 

Leaves are compound with 

3 lacy-lobed leaflets. 

Yellow columbine, Aquilegia flavescens, grows in moist 

areas or riparian sites in 

aspen, Douglas fir-white fir 

and spruce forests. Flowers 

of yellow columbine are similar to mountain columbine, 

but smaller. Its eagle talonlike spurs are also smaller. 

Leaves are compound with 3 

lacy-lobed leaflets. 

Mountain bluebell, 

Mertensia ciliata, grows 

along alpine/subalpine 

streams, where they form 

large, dense colonies with 

thousands of drooping 

bells. Flower color varies 

from a light blue to purple 

or very light pink depending on how long the flowers 

have been opened. Many 

animals enjoy the lanceshape leaves and succulent 

stems.

Wavy-leaf Indian paintbrush, Castilleja applegatei, grows 

in dry mountain ridges, unstable rocky slopes, alpine 

meadows, and 

conifer forests. 

The inflorescence 

(cluster of flowers) 

is a dense spike of 

vivid, scarlet, leafy 

bracts. These showy 

bracts hide small 

tubular flowers. 

Leaves are alternate, wavy-margined, and covered with 

sticky hairs. The upper leaves have lateral lobes. 

Royal Indian paintbrush,

Castilleja rhexifolia, is found in 

alpine/subalpine meadows, 

slopes and open aspen-conifer forests, growing in moist 

or shady areas. Flowers are 

arranged in a spike with 

vibrant purple to crimson 

leafy bracts and inconspicuous flowers. Leaves are broad 

to lance-shaped with entire 

margins (see drawing); hairy 

but without sticky hairs.

Pale yellow Indian paintbrush, Castilleja rhexifolia var. 

sulphurea, grows in alpine/subalpine meadows, slopes, 

and in openings of aspen-conifer forests. Leaves are 

lance-shape, sometimes lobed. This, as well as other 

paintbrushes, is a partial parasite 

of sagebrush and 

grasses, 

attaching to 

their roots to 

obtain water 

and nutrients. 

Hence they 

are difficult 

to cultivate.

April Sorensen April Sorensen

April Sorensen

April Sorensen

Alpine Wildflowers, D. Strickler
Milfoil yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is found in aspen, spruce-fir, 

and alpine tundra communities. Flower heads are in a flat 

branching cluster with numerous 

small and whitish flowers. Leaves 

are alternate, finely divided 

(fern-like) and covered with 

woolly hairs. 

Tall larkspur, 

Delphinium occidentale, grows in alpine 

meadows, aspen 

stands, conifer forests, 

and moist sites. Its 

intense blue-purple 

flowers are arranged 

alternately along the 

upper stem. The upper 

sepal of the flower 

extends back and 

upward into a long, tubular spur. The stems are 

hollow and the leaves are 

palmate (arranged like the fingers on a hand) with lobed 

or divided blades. 

Lupine, Lupinus argenteus, grows in dense colorful clumps 

in the Timpanogos basin, mainly in alpine meadows. This 

plant is an 

associate to 

mountain bluebell and Indian 

paintbrush. 

Flowers are 

blue to purple 

and pea-like 

shape. Fruit is 

a hairy pod. 

Each leaf has 

6-9 leaflets radiating from a common point (palmately 

compound). 

Seep-spring arnica, Arnica longifolia, grows in unstable 

rocky slopes and streambanks in aspen and conifer forests. This plant has 1 

to 9 beautiful bright 

yellow sunflowers per 

stem, and around 

8-13 petals (ray 

flower) per flower 

head. The lower 

leaves are opposite 

and lance-shape, 

covered with short soft hairs. It is a common associate to 

lupines, blue bells and paintbrushes.

Sulfur buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum, grows in various habitats, open rocky slopes, sagebrush, and subalpine 

conifer forests openings. There are several varieties but 

typical characteristics 

are the rosette-like 

basal leaves and 

minute yellow flowers 

arranged in an umbel 

inflorescence (see 

drawing). Another 

typical feature of this 

plant is the numerous 

small leaves growing close to the ground forming a mat. 

The flowering stalks can reach 10 to 14 inches high.

American bistort, Polygonum bistortoides, grows in 

subalpine meadows, moist 

areas, and streambanks. 

The spike inflorescence is a 

dense cluster of small white 

flowers with long stamens. 

Other characteristics are 

the lance-shape basal 

leaves and erect flowering 

stems that reach up to 20 

inches high. The root is thick, 

twisted, and snakelike and 

has been used by Native 

Americans in soups and 

stews. 

April Sorensen

April Sorensen

Utah Wildflowers, R. Shaw

Tips to Prevent

Spreading Weeds

Staying on trails will help prevent seeds from 

attaching to clothes and pets – lessening their 

spread into the wilderness and wildflower 

basins.

Using weed free-hay will reduce weeds from 

spreading to the wilderness. 

Not all beautiful flowers are wildflowers; in 

fact some are invasive weeds!

Picking and transporting wildflowers you can’t 

identify increases the chances for weed dispersal.

Help us in the fight against weeds!!

Sticky geranium, Geranium viscosissimum, grows in open 

conifer and aspen forests, sagebrush, and meadows. Its 

5-petaled flowers are pink to 

lavender. The purplish lines found 

on petals help insects find the 

nectar at the base of the flower. 

Richardson’s geranium, Geranium 

richardsonii, is also 

very similar, but with 

white flowers and 

reddish lines. 

Wasatch beardtongue,

Penstemon cyananthus, grows 

in open areas along the 

Timpooneke trail. Its intense 

and bright blue flowers are 

tubular and bellied below to 

favor bumblebee pollination. 

This flower has 5 stamens, 4 

fertile and 1 infertile. The 

infertile stamen is flattened, 

tongue-like and bearded 

with golden hairs, leaves are 

opposite. 

Leafy Jacobs Ladder, Polemonium 

foliosissimum, is common along streams 

and high meadows. Flowers are 

arranged in a raceme inflorescence (see drawing). The 

bell-shaped flowers have white to blue lobes and large 

anthers with conspicuous bright yellow 

pollen. Leaves are light 

green, divided to 

pinnately compound. 

Soft and sticky hairs 

are found on stems, 

leaves and sepals.

Tips for

Wildflower Viewing

Plants need their flowers to produce seeds. Picking wildflowers can affect the abundance of 

native plants in the meadows.

Enjoy wildflowers and leave them for someone 

else to enjoy! 

Respect their natural environment. Staying on 

trails will minimize disturbance to wildflowers.

Admire wildflowers. Take their beauty home in 

a photograph, a drawing and in your memories! 

Many wildflowers do not survive outside their 

natural environment. Please help us protect 

them by leaving them untouched.

Utah Wildflowers, R. Shaw

Utah Wildflowers,R. Shaw

April Sorensen

April Sorensen
Common Weeds Found 

on the Wilderness Trails

Houndstongue, Cynoglossum officinale, is an alien from 

Europe. It thrives along trails, 

pastures, and rangelands. The 

first year this plant grows to a 

wide rosette with long basal 

leaves. The second year, the 

plant develops long flowering 

stems, reaching up to 4 feet 

tall. Dull reddish-purple flowers develop at the top of the 

flowering stems. Each flower 

produces 4 triangular seeds 

that are covered with hooked 

prickles. Seeds are easily 

spread by attaching to clothing and animals. They contain 

toxic alkaloids that can cause 

liver damage in animals and 

humans.

Dalmatian toadflax, Linaria dalmatica, is a native to 

the Mediterranean region of Europe introduced to the 

western U.S. as an ornamental about 1874. Since then 

it has become a widespread noxious weed. This plant 

can be recognized by its 2-lipped yellow flowers, which 

contain a long spur 

(similar to snapdragon 

flowers). It also has 

entire broad leaves 

with a blue-green color 

that clasp the stems in 

alternate fashion. It is 

very aggresive and 

hard to control due to 

its extensive deep root 

system and thick waxy 

leaf cuticle. This weed’s 

beautiful flowers can 

be mistaken for a 

native flower.

Common burdock, Arctium minus, is a biennial native to 

Europe that is now established throughout the U.S. mainly 

along roadsides, pastures, and waste areas. It is found at 

the entrance of the Timpooneke trail. The first year this 

plant is only a basal rosette with big heart-shaped leaves. 

The second year it develops tall flowering stems. Flowers 

are purple and numerous, covered with slender hooked 

spines. Fruits contain several spiny burs that become 

entangled in the hair of 

animals and on people’s 

clothing allowing seeds 

to be distributed to 

new areas. Attempts 

to remove the fruit will 

break the seeds apart.

This scenic area at Mount Timpanogos displays a blend of 

beautiful arnicas and the menacing dalmation toadflax.

If you have questions or concerns about weeds in

your area, please contact one of the agencies

listed in the back of this brochure.

April Sorensen

Mel Lewis

Weeds of the West, T. Whitson, et al

Weeds of the West, T. Whitson, et al
Drawings

LEAF MARGINS

OTHER LEAF AND FLOWER TERMS

Entire Leaf

Lobed Leaf

Divided Leaf

Basal Leaves

Opposite Leaves

Alternate Leaves

Palmately Compound Leaf

Flower

Raceme

Inflorescence

Spike

Inflorescence Umbel

Inflorescence

Contacts

Uinta National Forest

Supervisor’s Office

88 West 100 North

Provo, UT 84601

Phone: (801) 342-5100

Pleasant Grove Ranger District

390 North 100 East

Pleasant Grove, UT 84062

Phone: (801) 785-3563

Intermountain Region

Regional Office 

324 25th Street

Ogden, UT 84401

Phone: (801) 625-5202

Utah County Weed Control Office

2855 South State Street

Provo, UT 84606 

Phone: (801) 370-8638

Salt Lake County Weed Control Office

7125 S 600 W

Midvale, UT 84047

Phone: (801) 562-6466

Wasatch County Weed Control Office

805 W 100 S

P.O. Box 69

Heber City, UT 84032

Phone: (435) 654-1661

Utah Native Plant Society (UNPS)

Contact us at: unps@unps.org

Web site: www.unps.org

Leaflet

Pinnate

Compound Leaf

Tubular

Corola