List of Native Plants in the Adirondack Mountains

The Adirondack Mountains in the northeastern United States are home to numerous native plants, shrubs and trees. Its forests, woodlands, lakeside areas and open fields have a variety of plants that thrive well in full sun to full shade and dry to moist soils. Efforts to preserve the native plants of the Adirondack Mountains include protecting their natural habitats and choosing native plants for gardens and landscapes in the area.

Bracken Fern

Native to the Adirondacks and most of North America, the bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a perennial fern of the Dennstaedtiaceae family. It thrives in shaded areas and is found in woodlands and fields, according to the University of Wisconsin's Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium. Bracken fern grows less than 7 feet in height, its green flowers bloom in the summertime and it does well in semi-dry to moderately moist soil. It is also called the eastern bracken fern.

Sensitive Fern

A member of the Dryopteridaceae family, sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis L.) is a perennial native to the Adirondack Mountains and the mid-to-eastern region of North America. Sensitive fern grows up to 2 feet tall, does well in moist soils and in shaded to full-sun locations. Its other common names include meadow brake and bead fern.

False Violet

Also known as star-violet, dewdrop and robin-run-away, false violet (Dalibarda repens) is a perennial member of the Rosaceae family. False violet is native to the Adirondack Mountains and eastern North America as far down as North Carolina. False violet produces heart-shaped green leaves and its white flowers bloom from mid-to-late summer. False violet grows as a groundcover that thrives in moist, shaded areas.

Trout Lily

A perennial flowering herb of the Liliaceae family, trout lily (Erythronium americanum) is native to the Adirondacks and eastern United States, as far south as Georgia. Trout lily grows in moist soil conditions and in partially shaded forests and wooded areas. It grows 8 inches tall and produces yellow flowers that bloom throughout spring. The curling back of the flower’s tepals creates the distinctive look of the trout lily said the Freckmann Herbarium. Its other common names include yellow dog-tooth violet and American trout lily.

Sweet Gale

A perennial shrub belonging to the Myricaeae family, sweet gale (Myrica gale) is native to the Adirondack Mountains, northeastern United States, North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee in the Southeast and Oregon and Washington in the Northwest. Also known as meadow fern, sweet gale grows to 6 feet tall and tolerates moist to semi-dry soil conditions. Its blue flowers bloom in spring.