Great Land of Alaska

Beautiful Jacob's Ladder

The Beautiful Jacob's Ladder usually inhabits dry, rocky areas like the ones I found here.

Common Hairbell, Bluebells of Scotland

Bluebells are usually found on grassy slopes and rocky outcroppings along the southern coastal areas of Alaska, and may occasionally be found inland.

Dandelions

The dandelion is not a plant native to Alaksa; it is a weed here just as it is in most other places where it occurs. However, they may add a nice touch of color in some places that they are found.

Dwarf Dogwood

Dwarf dogwoods inhabit woods, tundra, and low alpine areas. The plant produces a berry whose edibility is often questioned. It is not considered dangerous but some people report upset stomachs after eating these berries.

Dwarf Fireweed

The Dwarf Fireweed is a smaller relative of the Common Fireweed, growing up to 20 inches (51cm) high. Dwarf fireweed are often found growing along streams or riverbars, but may occasionally be found growing in rocky terrain in the mountains.

Eskimo Potato

The Eskimo Potato plant grows in most of Alaska except for southeast and the Aleutian chain. Its habitat is usually rocky slopes and open forests. The closely related wild pea--considered poisonous--is sometimes mistaken for the edible Eskimo potato.

Fall leaves

Just like any other place with varying climate, deciduous trees in Alaska turn yellow in the autumn and drop off as winter draws nearer.

Common Fireweed

Fireweed is found in meadows and woods throughout Alaska. It is a tall plant, capable of growing up to 7 feet (2.1 meters).The name Fireweed comes from this plants' ability to quickly regenerate and grow in areas defoliated by fire. The flowers are used to make honey or jelly, the leaves are edible, and the inside of the stem is very nutritious.

Forest floor

Some of the various mosses, lichens, and plants that make up many forest floors.

Alpine Forget-Me-Nots

Alaska's state flower, the Forget-Me-Not grows in alpine and sub-alpine meadows and slopes. It is found in much of Alaska except for Southeast and the Yukon River drainage. The flowers are usually blue but may occasionally be white or pink.

Lichens

The coloration of this rock may make it look like a large piece of granite, but the black, grey, green, and yellow coloration actually comes from the lichens (a symbiotic association of a fungus with an algae or bacteria) that are covering every square inch of the exposed rock.

Mountain Harebell

The Mountain Harebell is a close relative of the Common Harebell, but is much smaller. It is found on rocky ridges and alpine slopes throughout Alaska.

Nootka Lupine

Nootka Lupines are found in dry slopes and fields of the Southeast, Southcentral, and Aleutian Chain. They are commonly seen along the sides of many highways and roads in these areas. These plants, especially their seeds, are very poisonous.

Pixie Eye Primrose

Pixie Eye Primrose is a small plant found in Southcentral and western coastal Alaska. It usually grows in rocky alpine areas.

Prickly Rose

The Prickly Rose is a common plant, found in open woods, clearings, and meadows of most of Alaska except for the North Slope and Southeast. Like the rose that most people are familiar with, the Prickly Rose's stem is covered with small, sharp thorns. This plant produces a waxy-flavored fruit that can be sweetened and used to make jellies, jams, teas, and baked goods. The fruit's seeds have two prongs that may lodge in your intestines and cause considerable problems if the seeds are not removed prior to consuming the fruit.

Wild Geranium

Wild Geraniums are found are found in woodlands, meadows, and alpine areas of Southeast, Southcentral, and Southwest Alaska. They may be found in parts of the interior, but only about as far north as Nenana and Delta.

Spruce Trees

Various types of spruce tree are common in Alaska. Spruces living in areas of frequent strong winds often end up with a wind-blown look, as shown in the third picture. The stripped bark on the spruce in the third picture was caused by foraging porcupines during the winter. This shows how deep the snow can get.