Balsam Poplar – Populus balsamifera Native
Native in 21 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for full sun.
Alaska native plants
USDA PLANTS records 130 plants as native to Alaska (AK) and routinely sold by nurseries. Each one is mapped by county, so you can see which grow wild where you live.
Alaska native plant list
This list has 130 Alaska natives that nurseries routinely sell: 17 trees, 26 shrubs, 46 wildflowers, 37 grasses and sedges and 4 ferns. The most widespread include Black Crowberry, Bog Blueberry and Tall Cottongrass, each recorded as native in at least 24 of Alaska's 25 counties. Checked against USDA PLANTS on June 13, 2026.
Black Crowberry – Empetrum nigrum Native
Native in 24 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 1 ft for full sun, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Arctic Raspberry – Rubus arcticus Native
Native in 23 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for full sun.
Tall Cottongrass – Eriophorum angustifolium Native
Native in 24 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Field Horsetail – Equisetum arvense Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A horsetail for sun or part shade.
Paper Birch – Betula papyrifera Native
Native in 18 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 70 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and fall colour.
Bog Blueberry – Vaccinium uliginosum Native
Native in 24 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Alpine Mountainsorrel – Oxyria digyna Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade.
Water Sedge – Carex aquatilis Native
Native in 24 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Water Horsetail – Equisetum fluviatile Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A horsetail for full sun and wet soil.
Alberta Spruce – Picea glauca Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade.
Foxberry – Vaccinium vitis-idaea Native
Native in 23 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 6 in for full sun, with summer flowers and showy fruit.
Cloudberry – Rubus chamaemorus Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Bluejoint – Calamagrostis canadensis Native
Native in 23 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Woodland Horsetail – Equisetum sylvaticum Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A horsetail that tolerates shade.
Thinleaf Alder – Alnus incana Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Squashberry – Viburnum edule Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Common Cowparsnip – Heracleum maximum Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Spike Trisetum – Trisetum spicatum Native
Native in 23 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Western Brackenfern – Pteridium aquilinum Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A fern that tolerates shade.
Quaking Aspen – Populus tremuloides Native
Native in 14 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 65 ft for full sun.
Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Native
Native in 21 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 6 in for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Largeleaf Avens – Geum macrophyllum Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers.
Vanilla Grass – Anthoxanthum nitens ssp. nitens Native
Native in 23 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Black Spruce – Picea mariana Native
Native in 12 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen tree up to 65 ft that tolerates shade.
Sweetgale – Myrica gale Native
Native in 20 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft that tolerates shade.
Tall Jacob's-Ladder – Polemonium acutiflorum Native
Native in 22 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with summer flowers.
Silvery Sedge – Carex canescens Native
Native in 20 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Black Cottonwood – Populus balsamifera subsp. trichocarpa Native
Native in 11 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun.
Bog Labrador Tea – Ledum groenlandicum Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Buckbean – Menyanthes trifoliata Native
Native in 21 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Common Spikerush – Eleocharis palustris Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Black Cottonwood – Populus trichocarpa Native
Native in 11 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun.
Common Juniper – Juniperus communis Native
Native in 18 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 10 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Marsh Marigold – Caltha palustris Native
Native in 21 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Fowl Bluegrass – Poa palustris Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Sitka Spruce – Picea sitchensis Native
Native in 11 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen tree up to 200 ft that tolerates shade.
Eightpetal Mountain-Avens – Dryas octopetala Native
Native in 18 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 4 in for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Seep Monkeyflower – Mimulus guttatus Native
Native in 21 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A wildflower that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Glaucous Bluegrass – Poa glauca Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Pacific Willow – Salix lucida subsp. lasiandra Native
Native in 7 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 53 ft for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Red Currant – Ribes triste Native
Native in 17 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
American Alpine Speedwell – Veronica wormskjoldii Native
Native in 20 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with summer flowers.
Northern Reedgrass – Calamagrostis stricta subsp. inexpansa Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade and wet soil, with fall colour.
Western Hemlock – Tsuga heterophylla Native
Native in 6 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen tree up to 170 ft that tolerates shade.
Leatherleaf – Chamaedaphne calyculata Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 4 ft for sun or part shade.
Arctic Dock – Rumex arcticus Native
Native in 20 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for full sun.
Alpine Timothy – Phleum alpinum Native
Native in 17 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Beach Pine – Pinus contorta Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen tree up to 99 ft for full sun.
Sitka Alder – Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 16 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Tilesius' Wormwood – Artemisia tilesii Native
Native in 20 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial that tolerates shade.
Beaked Sedge – Carex rostrata Native
Native in 17 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Water Birch – Betula occidentalis Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for sun or part shade.
Thinleaf Alder – Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 20 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Greater Creeping Spearwort – Ranunculus flammula Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Three-Hulled Rush – Juncus triglumis Native
Native in 17 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial rush for full sun and wet soil.
Red Alder – Alnus rubra Native
Native in 4 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 90 ft for full sun.
Russet Buffaloberry – Shepherdia canadensis Native
Native in 14 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Rocky Mountain Pond-Lily – Nuphar lutea subsp. polysepala Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with spring flowers.
Needle Spikerush – Eleocharis acicularis Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A sedge for full sun.
Sandbar Willow – Salix interior Native
Native in 4 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Sitka Willow – Salix sitchensis Native
Native in 12 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 23 ft for full sun.
Woolly Geranium – Geranium erianthum Native
Native in 19 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Slender Wheatgrass – Elymus trachycaulus trachycaulus Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Subalpine Fir – Abies lasiocarpa Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen tree up to 90 ft that tolerates shade.
Western Service Berry – Amelanchier alnifolia Native
Native in 11 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Canada Goldenrod – Solidago canadensis Native
Native in 18 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers.
Toad Rush – Juncus bufonius Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An annual rush for full sun and wet soil.
Pacific Silver Fir – Abies amabilis Native
Native in 1 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen tree up to 165 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Prairie Sagewort – Artemisia frigida Native
Native in 10 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft for sun or part shade.
Nootka Lupine – Lupinus nootkatensis Native
Native in 18 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Mertens' Rush – Juncus mertensianus Native
Native in 15 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Red Osier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 10 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Alpine Sweetvetch – Hedysarum alpinum Native
Native in 17 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers and fall colour.
Drummond's Rush – Juncus drummondii Native
Native in 14 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Red-Barked Dogwood – Cornus alba Native
Native in 10 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Subalpine Fleabane – Erigeron peregrinus Native
Native in 17 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Softleaf Sedge – Carex disperma Native
Native in 13 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Redosier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 10 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
American Speedwell – Veronica americana Native
Native in 16 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Golden Sedge – Carex aurea Native
Native in 12 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Shining Willow – Salix lucida Native
Native in 7 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 13 ft for sun or part shade.
Sea Pink – Armeria maritima Native
Native in 15 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Little Green Sedge – Carex viridula Native
Native in 12 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Creeping Juniper – Juniperus horizontalis Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 4 ft for full sun.
Darkthroat Shootingstar – Dodecatheon pulchellum Native
Native in 14 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Meadow Barley – Hordeum brachyantherum Native
Native in 12 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Twinberry – Lonicera involucrata Native
Native in 4 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft that tolerates shade, with summer flowers and showy fruit.
Sierra Larkspur – Delphinium glaucum Native
Native in 14 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early spring flowers and showy fruit.
Panicled Bulrush – Scirpus microcarpus Native
Native in 11 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Woods' Rose – Rosa woodsii Native
Native in 3 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Arrowleaf Ragwort – Senecio triangularis Native
Native in 13 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with midsummer flowers.
Swordleaf Rush – Juncus ensifolius Native
Native in 10 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Diamondleaf Willow – Salix planifolia Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 8 ft for full sun.
Utah Sweetvetch – Hedysarum boreale Native
Native in 13 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late spring flowers.
Fringed Brome – Bromus ciliatus Native
Native in 9 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Rose Spirea – Spiraea douglasii Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A shrub up to 7 ft for full sun and wet soil, with midsummer flowers.
Water Knotweed – Polygonum amphibium Native
Native in 13 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Softstem Bulrush – Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Native
Native in 9 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
White Marsh Marigold – Caltha leptosepala Native
Native in 12 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late spring flowers.
Wheat Sedge – Carex atherodes Native
Native in 8 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Wild Mint – Mentha arvensis Native
Native in 12 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with spring flowers.
Blue Wildrye – Elymus glaucus Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Common Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris Native
Native in 10 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Fowl Mannagrass – Glyceria striata Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Star Duckweed – Lemna trisulca Native
Native in 10 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Timber Oatgrass – Danthonia intermedia Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Common Duckweed – Lemna minor Native
Native in 9 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Bluebunch Wheatgrass – Pseudoroegneria spicata spicata Native
Native in 4 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Lewis Flax – Linum lewisii Native
Native in 9 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with showy flowers.
Common Rush – Juncus effusus Native
Native in 4 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial rush for full sun.
Cinquefoil – Potentilla gracilis Native
Native in 7 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Awlfruit Sedge – Carex stipata Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Silverweed – Potentilla anserina Native
Native in 7 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Jointleaf Rush – Juncus articulatus Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Silverweed Cinquefoil – Argentina anserina Native
Native in 7 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Bebb's Sedge – Carex bebbii Native
Native in 1 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Pennsylvania Smartweed – Polygonum pensylvanicum Native
Native in 6 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An annual wildflower for full sun, with spring flowers.
June Grass – Koeleria macrantha Native
Native in 1 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Alpine Aster – Aster alpinus Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers.
Poverty Rush – Juncus tenuis Native
Native in 1 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Broadleaf Cattail – Typha latifolia Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil, with showy fruit.
Littleleaf Buttercup – Ranunculus abortivus Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A plant that tolerates shade.
Nodding Waternymph – Najas flexilis Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. An annual for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Pennsylvania Buttercup – Ranunculus pensylvanicus Native
Native in 5 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Arumleaf Arrowhead – Sagittaria cuneata Native
Native in 3 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with showy flowers.
Coon's Tail – Ceratophyllum demersum Native
Native in 3 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Robbins' Pondweed – Potamogeton robbinsii Native
Native in 3 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Elephanthead Lousewort – Pedicularis groenlandica Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Marsh Hedgenettle – Stachys palustris Native
Native in 2 of Alaska’s 25 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
No plant on this page matches that.
USDA records 63 of these 130 plants as native in fewer than half of Alaska’s counties. The map on each card shows where. A county with no record may never have been surveyed for that plant, so look at the counties around yours too, or use the county checker for an address-level answer.
Want to check a plant by photo or county?
Use our “Is it native” tool for free.Compiled from USDA PLANTS, retrieved June 13, 2026. If you spot a plant we have wrong, tell us at [email protected].
The same list as a table
| Plant | Scientific name | Type | Light | Native counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta Spruce | Picea glauca | Tree | Sun or part shade | 16 of 25 |
| Alpine Aster | Aster alpinus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 5 of 25 |
| Alpine Mountainsorrel | Oxyria digyna | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 22 of 25 |
| Alpine Sweetvetch | Hedysarum alpinum | Wildflower | Full sun | 17 of 25 |
| Alpine Timothy | Phleum alpinum | Grass | Sun or part shade | 17 of 25 |
| American Alpine Speedwell | Veronica wormskjoldii | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 20 of 25 |
| American Speedwell | Veronica americana | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 16 of 25 |
| Arctic Dock | Rumex arcticus | Perennial | Full sun | 20 of 25 |
| Arctic Raspberry | Rubus arcticus | Perennial | Full sun | 23 of 25 |
| Arrowleaf Ragwort | Senecio triangularis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 13 of 25 |
| Arumleaf Arrowhead | Sagittaria cuneata | Wildflower | Full sun | 3 of 25 |
| Awlfruit Sedge | Carex stipata | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 2 of 25 |
| Balsam Poplar | Populus balsamifera | Tree | Full sun | 21 of 25 |
| Beach Pine | Pinus contorta | Tree | Full sun | 5 of 25 |
| Beaked Sedge | Carex rostrata | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 17 of 25 |
| Bebb's Sedge | Carex bebbii | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 1 of 25 |
| Black Cottonwood | Populus balsamifera subsp. trichocarpa | Tree | Full sun | 11 of 25 |
| Black Cottonwood | Populus trichocarpa | Tree | Full sun | 11 of 25 |
| Black Crowberry | Empetrum nigrum | Shrub | Full sun | 24 of 25 |
| Black Spruce | Picea mariana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 12 of 25 |
| Blue Wildrye | Elymus glaucus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 5 of 25 |
| Bluebunch Wheatgrass | Pseudoroegneria spicata spicata | Grass | Full sun | 4 of 25 |
| Bluejoint | Calamagrostis canadensis | Grass | Full sun | 23 of 25 |
| Bog Blueberry | Vaccinium uliginosum | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 24 of 25 |
| Bog Labrador Tea | Ledum groenlandicum | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 19 of 25 |
| Broadleaf Cattail | Typha latifolia | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 5 of 25 |
| Buckbean | Menyanthes trifoliata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 21 of 25 |
| Canada Goldenrod | Solidago canadensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 18 of 25 |
| Cinquefoil | Potentilla gracilis | Wildflower | Full sun | 7 of 25 |
| Cloudberry | Rubus chamaemorus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 22 of 25 |
| Common Cowparsnip | Heracleum maximum | Wildflower | Full sun | 22 of 25 |
| Common Duckweed | Lemna minor | Perennial | Full sun | 9 of 25 |
| Common Juniper | Juniperus communis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 18 of 25 |
| Common Rush | Juncus effusus | Rush | Full sun | 4 of 25 |
| Common Selfheal | Prunella vulgaris | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 10 of 25 |
| Common Spikerush | Eleocharis palustris | Sedge | Full sun | 19 of 25 |
| Coon's Tail | Ceratophyllum demersum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 3 of 25 |
| Creeping Juniper | Juniperus horizontalis | Shrub | Full sun | 5 of 25 |
| Darkthroat Shootingstar | Dodecatheon pulchellum | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 14 of 25 |
| Diamondleaf Willow | Salix planifolia | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 2 of 25 |
| Drummond's Rush | Juncus drummondii | Rush | Sun or part shade | 14 of 25 |
| Eightpetal Mountain-Avens | Dryas octopetala | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 18 of 25 |
| Elephanthead Lousewort | Pedicularis groenlandica | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 2 of 25 |
| Field Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | Horsetail | Sun or part shade | 22 of 25 |
| Fowl Bluegrass | Poa palustris | Grass | Sun or part shade | 19 of 25 |
| Fowl Mannagrass | Glyceria striata | Grass | Tolerates shade | 5 of 25 |
| Foxberry | Vaccinium vitis-idaea | Shrub | Full sun | 23 of 25 |
| Fringed Brome | Bromus ciliatus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 9 of 25 |
| Glaucous Bluegrass | Poa glauca | Grass | Full sun | 19 of 25 |
| Golden Sedge | Carex aurea | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 12 of 25 |
| Greater Creeping Spearwort | Ranunculus flammula | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 19 of 25 |
| Jointleaf Rush | Juncus articulatus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 2 of 25 |
| June Grass | Koeleria macrantha | Grass | Tolerates shade | 1 of 25 |
| Kinnikinnick | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 21 of 25 |
| Largeleaf Avens | Geum macrophyllum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 22 of 25 |
| Leatherleaf | Chamaedaphne calyculata | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 16 of 25 |
| Lewis Flax | Linum lewisii | Wildflower | Full sun | 9 of 25 |
| Little Green Sedge | Carex viridula | Sedge | Full sun | 12 of 25 |
| Littleleaf Buttercup | Ranunculus abortivus | Plant | Tolerates shade | 5 of 25 |
| Marsh Hedgenettle | Stachys palustris | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 2 of 25 |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | Wildflower | Full sun | 21 of 25 |
| Meadow Barley | Hordeum brachyantherum | Grass | Full sun | 12 of 25 |
| Mertens' Rush | Juncus mertensianus | Rush | Sun or part shade | 15 of 25 |
| Needle Spikerush | Eleocharis acicularis | Sedge | Full sun | 16 of 25 |
| Nodding Waternymph | Najas flexilis | Annual | Sun or part shade | 5 of 25 |
| Nootka Lupine | Lupinus nootkatensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 18 of 25 |
| Northern Reedgrass | Calamagrostis stricta subsp. inexpansa | Grass | Sun or part shade | 19 of 25 |
| Pacific Silver Fir | Abies amabilis | Tree | Tolerates shade | 1 of 25 |
| Pacific Willow | Salix lucida subsp. lasiandra | Tree | Full sun | 7 of 25 |
| Panicled Bulrush | Scirpus microcarpus | Sedge | Full sun | 11 of 25 |
| Paper Birch | Betula papyrifera | Tree | Full sun | 18 of 25 |
| Pennsylvania Buttercup | Ranunculus pensylvanicus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 5 of 25 |
| Pennsylvania Smartweed | Polygonum pensylvanicum | Wildflower | Full sun | 6 of 25 |
| Poverty Rush | Juncus tenuis | Rush | Sun or part shade | 1 of 25 |
| Prairie Sagewort | Artemisia frigida | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 10 of 25 |
| Quaking Aspen | Populus tremuloides | Tree | Full sun | 14 of 25 |
| Red Alder | Alnus rubra | Tree | Full sun | 4 of 25 |
| Red Currant | Ribes triste | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 17 of 25 |
| Red Osier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 10 of 25 |
| Red-Barked Dogwood | Cornus alba | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 10 of 25 |
| Redosier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 10 of 25 |
| Robbins' Pondweed | Potamogeton robbinsii | Perennial | Full sun | 3 of 25 |
| Rocky Mountain Pond-Lily | Nuphar lutea subsp. polysepala | Wildflower | Full sun | 19 of 25 |
| Rose Spirea | Spiraea douglasii | Shrub | Full sun | 2 of 25 |
| Russet Buffaloberry | Shepherdia canadensis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 14 of 25 |
| Sandbar Willow | Salix interior | Tree | Full sun | 4 of 25 |
| Sea Pink | Armeria maritima | Wildflower | Full sun | 15 of 25 |
| Seep Monkeyflower | Mimulus guttatus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 21 of 25 |
| Shining Willow | Salix lucida | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 7 of 25 |
| Sierra Larkspur | Delphinium glaucum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 14 of 25 |
| Silverweed | Potentilla anserina | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 7 of 25 |
| Silverweed Cinquefoil | Argentina anserina | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 7 of 25 |
| Silvery Sedge | Carex canescens | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 20 of 25 |
| Sitka Alder | Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 16 of 25 |
| Sitka Spruce | Picea sitchensis | Tree | Tolerates shade | 11 of 25 |
| Sitka Willow | Salix sitchensis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 12 of 25 |
| Slender Wheatgrass | Elymus trachycaulus trachycaulus | Grass | Full sun | 16 of 25 |
| Softleaf Sedge | Carex disperma | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 13 of 25 |
| Softstem Bulrush | Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani | Sedge | Full sun | 9 of 25 |
| Spike Trisetum | Trisetum spicatum | Grass | Sun or part shade | 23 of 25 |
| Squashberry | Viburnum edule | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 22 of 25 |
| Star Duckweed | Lemna trisulca | Perennial | Full sun | 10 of 25 |
| Subalpine Fir | Abies lasiocarpa | Tree | Tolerates shade | 2 of 25 |
| Subalpine Fleabane | Erigeron peregrinus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 17 of 25 |
| Sweetgale | Myrica gale | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 20 of 25 |
| Swordleaf Rush | Juncus ensifolius | Rush | Sun or part shade | 10 of 25 |
| Tall Cottongrass | Eriophorum angustifolium | Sedge | Full sun | 24 of 25 |
| Tall Jacob's-Ladder | Polemonium acutiflorum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 22 of 25 |
| Thinleaf Alder | Alnus incana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 16 of 25 |
| Thinleaf Alder | Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 16 of 25 |
| Three-Hulled Rush | Juncus triglumis | Rush | Full sun | 17 of 25 |
| Tilesius' Wormwood | Artemisia tilesii | Perennial | Tolerates shade | 20 of 25 |
| Timber Oatgrass | Danthonia intermedia | Grass | Sun or part shade | 5 of 25 |
| Toad Rush | Juncus bufonius | Rush | Full sun | 16 of 25 |
| Twinberry | Lonicera involucrata | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 4 of 25 |
| Utah Sweetvetch | Hedysarum boreale | Wildflower | Full sun | 13 of 25 |
| Vanilla Grass | Anthoxanthum nitens ssp. nitens | Grass | Sun or part shade | 23 of 25 |
| Water Birch | Betula occidentalis | Tree | Sun or part shade | 5 of 25 |
| Water Horsetail | Equisetum fluviatile | Horsetail | Full sun | 22 of 25 |
| Water Knotweed | Polygonum amphibium | Perennial | Full sun | 13 of 25 |
| Water Sedge | Carex aquatilis | Sedge | Full sun | 24 of 25 |
| Western Brackenfern | Pteridium aquilinum | Fern | Tolerates shade | 2 of 25 |
| Western Hemlock | Tsuga heterophylla | Tree | Tolerates shade | 6 of 25 |
| Western Service Berry | Amelanchier alnifolia | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 11 of 25 |
| Wheat Sedge | Carex atherodes | Sedge | Full sun | 8 of 25 |
| White Marsh Marigold | Caltha leptosepala | Wildflower | Full sun | 12 of 25 |
| Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 12 of 25 |
| Woodland Horsetail | Equisetum sylvaticum | Horsetail | Tolerates shade | 16 of 25 |
| Woods' Rose | Rosa woodsii | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 3 of 25 |
| Woolly Geranium | Geranium erianthum | Wildflower | Full sun | 19 of 25 |
Where this comes from
- Native range
- USDA PLANTS county distribution layer, the same records behind the county checker.
- Sold by nurseries
- USDA PLANTS plant characteristics, Commercial Availability “Routinely Available”. It is a national flag, so a plant here can still be hard to find at a garden centre near you.
- Plant details
- USDA PLANTS: growth habit and duration from the plant profile; shade and wet-soil tolerance, bloom period, mature height and showy flowers, fruit or fall colour from the plant characteristics.
- Left out
- Any plant a state regulates as invasive or noxious, or that GRIIS flags as invasive in the lower 48, even where it is native. So is any species USDA records as both native and introduced in the lower 48, because the form nurseries sell is usually the introduced one.
- Photos
- Public domain, CC0, CC BY and CC BY-SA, credited under each photo.
- Citation
- USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database (https://plants.usda.gov), retrieved June 13, 2026. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
Questions
What plants are native to Alaska?
This page lists the 130 plants that USDA PLANTS records as native to Alaska and routinely available from nurseries: 17 trees, 26 shrubs, 46 wildflowers, 37 grasses and sedges and 4 ferns. They are a small part of Alaska's native flora, chosen because you can buy them. Each one carries a map of the Alaska counties where USDA records it growing wild.
What trees are native to Alaska?
This page lists 17 trees native to Alaska that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Balsam Poplar, Paper Birch and Alberta Spruce, each recorded as native in at least 16 of Alaska's 25 counties.
What shrubs are native to Alaska?
This page lists 26 shrubs native to Alaska that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Black Crowberry, Bog Blueberry and Foxberry, each recorded as native in at least 23 of Alaska's 25 counties.
What wildflowers are native to Alaska?
This page lists 46 wildflowers native to Alaska that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Arctic Raspberry, Alpine Mountainsorrel and Cloudberry, each recorded as native in at least 22 of Alaska's 25 counties.
Is my plant native to Alaska?
Search this page by common or scientific name. A plant missing from it can still be native to Alaska: the page lists only natives that nurseries routinely sell, and it leaves out any plant a state regulates as invasive. For a county-level answer on any plant, enter its name in Ezina's checker. Every answer links the record it came from.
Is a plant native to Alaska native everywhere in Alaska?
Not necessarily. USDA records nativity county by county, and 63 of the 130 plants on this page are recorded as native in fewer than half of Alaska's 25 counties. A county with no record may simply never have been surveyed for that plant, so read each card's map as where the plant is known to grow wild rather than as a boundary.
Grow natives easily with Ezina
How it works
We provide the tools you need to succeed.
010.1Identify
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
010.2Care
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
010.3Plan
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Add a plant
Snap a photo or type the name. Ezina matches it to a library of about 40,000 species and starts a care plan tailored to your zone, the local weather, and the time of year.
Get a care plan
A schedule built from local rain, temperature, and sun, not a fixed weekly cadence. You get a single notification when a plant actually needs water. Easily add treatments for diseases and pests.
Explore new options
Our garden planner Dig helps you understand what works best for your location and makes suggestions based off your long term goals.
Compiled from peer-reviewed research, USDA documentation,
and direct scientific observation across the United States.