Wildflowers

New Mexico is the fifth-largest state in the U.S. and boasts an impressive 3,783 species of vascular plants. It sits at the intersection of eight major ecoregions in North America. The state features towering mountains that reach 12,000 feet, an alpine zone, the shortgrass grasslands of the Great Plains, the Llano Estacado in the High Plains, and the Colorado Plateau.

The diverse microhabitats in New Mexico showcase stunning plant life, ranging from desert scrub and prairie grasslands to lava fields and volcanic plateaus. There are also eroded badlands, carved canyons, shrubby foothills, and elevated mountain ridges. In the western U.S., you'll find hundreds of wildflowers and blooming shrubs, categorized into several hundred genera. Identifying these species can be tricky, as they vary in color, location, and habitat.

Common Wildflowers in New Mexico:

• Indian Paintbrush
• Mexican Poppies
• Threadleaf Phacelia
• Purple Prairie Clover
• Scarlet Globemallow
• Apache Plume
• Desert Honeysuckle
• Blanket Flower
• Bull Thistle
• Bee Balm
• Black-eyed Susan
• Blue Vervain
• Common Sunflower
• Common Blue Violet.