Sandbar Willow – Salix interior Native
Native in 49 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
North Dakota native plants
USDA PLANTS records 225 plants as native to North Dakota (ND) and routinely sold by nurseries. Each one is mapped by county, so you can see which grow wild where you live.
North Dakota native plant list
This list has 225 North Dakota natives that nurseries routinely sell: 33 trees, 40 shrubs, 71 wildflowers, 70 grasses and sedges, 5 ferns and 6 vines. The most widespread include Prairie Cordgrass, Softstem Bulrush and Arumleaf Arrowhead, each recorded as native in at least 49 of North Dakota's 53 counties. Checked against USDA PLANTS on June 13, 2026.
Western Snowberry – Symphoricarpos occidentalis Native
Native in 49 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Arumleaf Arrowhead – Sagittaria cuneata Native
Native in 49 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with showy flowers.
Prairie Cordgrass – Spartina pectinata Native
Native in 51 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Field Horsetail – Equisetum arvense Native
Native in 40 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A horsetail for sun or part shade.
American Bittersweet – Celastrus scandens Native
Native in 23 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A vine that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Peachleaf Willow – Salix amygdaloides Native
Native in 44 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun.
Prairie Sagewort – Artemisia frigida Native
Native in 45 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft for sun or part shade.
Mexican Hat – Ratibida columnifera Native
Native in 49 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Softstem Bulrush – Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Native
Native in 50 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Water Horsetail – Equisetum fluviatile Native
Native in 8 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A horsetail for full sun and wet soil.
Riverbank Grape – Vitis riparia Native
Native in 20 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A vine for sun or part shade.
Chokecherry – Prunus virginiana Native
Native in 42 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Western Service Berry – Amelanchier alnifolia Native
Native in 44 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft for sun or part shade, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Woolly Yarrow – Achillea tomentosa Native
Native in 49 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
June Grass – Koeleria macrantha Native
Native in 49 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Crested Woodfern – Dryopteris cristata Native
Native in 4 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A fern that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Western Virgin's Bower – Clematis ligusticifolia Native
Native in 12 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A vine for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Green Ash – Fraxinus pennsylvanica Native
Native in 42 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 80 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Red Osier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 41 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Water Knotweed – Polygonum amphibium Native
Native in 47 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Canada Wildrye – Elymus canadensis Native
Native in 47 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Woodland Horsetail – Equisetum sylvaticum Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A horsetail that tolerates shade.
Arrowleaf Tearthumb – Polygonum sagittatum Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A vine for full sun.
American Elm – Ulmus americana Native
Native in 37 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 120 ft for sun or part shade, with fall colour.
Red-Barked Dogwood – Cornus alba Native
Native in 41 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Wild Mint – Mentha arvensis Native
Native in 47 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with spring flowers.
Nuttall's Alkaligrass – Puccinellia nuttalliana Native
Native in 47 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Western Brackenfern – Pteridium aquilinum Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A fern that tolerates shade.
Groundnut – Apios americana Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A vine that tolerates shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Eastern Cottonwood – Populus deltoides Native
Native in 36 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 190 ft for full sun and wet soil, with showy fruit.
Redosier Dogwood – Cornus sericea sericea Native
Native in 41 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun and wet soil, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Broadfruit Bur-Reed – Sparganium eurycarpum Native
Native in 46 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Fowl Bluegrass – Poa palustris Native
Native in 45 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Trumpet Vine – Campsis radicans Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A vine for full sun, with summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Plains Cottonwood – Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera Native
Native in 36 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 85 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Yellow Willow – Salix lutea Native
Native in 38 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 16 ft for sun or part shade.
Devil's Beggartick – Bidens frondosa Native
Native in 44 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Green Needlegrass – Nassella viridula Native
Native in 45 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Quaking Aspen – Populus tremuloides Native
Native in 35 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 65 ft for full sun.
American Plum – Prunus americana Native
Native in 37 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 24 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Great Blanket Flower – Gaillardia aristata Native
Native in 44 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with spring flowers.
Needle and Thread – Hesperostipa comata comata Native
Native in 45 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun, with showy fruit.
Balsam Poplar – Populus balsamifera Native
Native in 33 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for full sun.
Woods' Rose – Rosa woodsii Native
Native in 36 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Nodding Beggartick – Bidens cernua Native
Native in 44 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Needle and Thread Grass – Stipa comata Native
Native in 45 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun, with showy fruit.
Box Elder – Acer negundo Native
Native in 33 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 60 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Leadplant – Amorpha canescens Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers.
Longbeak Buttercup – Ranunculus longirostris Native
Native in 42 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers.
Salt Grass – Distichlis spicata Native
Native in 43 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Burr Oak – Quercus macrocarpa Native
Native in 32 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Silver Buffaloberry – Shepherdia argentea Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 18 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
American Water Horehound – Lycopus americanus Native
Native in 41 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Torrey's Rush – Juncus torreyi Native
Native in 43 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial rush for full sun.
Nannyberry – Viburnum lentago Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 28 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
White Meadowsweet – Spiraea alba Native
Native in 27 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Dotted Blazing Star – Liatris punctata Native
Native in 41 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Western Wheatgrass – Pascopyrum smithii Native
Native in 43 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Missouri River Willow – Salix eriocephala Native
Native in 26 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 52 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Sandcherry – Prunus pumila Native
Native in 25 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Silverweed – Potentilla anserina Native
Native in 41 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Big Bluestem – Andropogon gerardii Native
Native in 42 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Common Hackberry – Celtis occidentalis Native
Native in 19 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 60 ft that tolerates shade, with fall colour.
Western Sand Cherry – Prunus besseyi Native
Native in 25 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for full sun, with early spring flowers and showy fruit.
Silverweed Cinquefoil – Argentina anserina Native
Native in 41 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with spring flowers.
Blue Grama – Bouteloua gracilis Native
Native in 40 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Pin Cherry – Prunus pensylvanica Native
Native in 18 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 30 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Gardner's Saltbush – Atriplex gardneri Native
Native in 24 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for full sun.
Canada Goldenrod – Solidago canadensis Native
Native in 40 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers.
Little Bluestem – Schizachyrium scoparium Native
Native in 40 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Rocky Mountain Juniper – Juniperus scopulorum Native
Native in 17 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An evergreen tree up to 50 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Silver Sagebrush – Artemisia cana Native
Native in 22 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 5 ft for full sun.
Common Duckweed – Lemna minor Native
Native in 40 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Northern Reedgrass – Calamagrostis stricta subsp. inexpansa Native
Native in 39 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade and wet soil, with fall colour.
Paper Birch – Betula papyrifera Native
Native in 14 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 70 ft for full sun, with mid-spring flowers and fall colour.
Winterfat – Krascheninnikovia lanata Native
Native in 20 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 2 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Downy Paintedcup – Castilleja sessiliflora Native
Native in 39 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with mid-spring flowers.
Prairie Sandreed – Calamovilfa longifolia Native
Native in 39 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Pussy Willow – Salix discolor Native
Native in 14 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 40 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Shining Willow – Salix lucida Native
Native in 19 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 13 ft for sun or part shade.
Giant Goldenrod – Solidago gigantea Native
Native in 38 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with showy flowers and fall colour.
California Field Sedge – Carex praegracilis Native
Native in 38 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
American Linden – Tilia americana Native
Native in 12 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 100 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and fall colour.
American Hazelnut – Corylus americana Native
Native in 18 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Broadleaf Cattail – Typha latifolia Native
Native in 36 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil, with showy fruit.
Virginia Wildrye – Elymus virginicus Native
Native in 37 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Hophornbeam – Ostrya virginiana Native
Native in 10 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 45 ft that tolerates shade.
Creeping Juniper – Juniperus horizontalis Native
Native in 18 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 4 ft for full sun.
Showy Milkweed – Asclepias speciosa Native
Native in 36 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers and showy fruit.
Cloaked Bulrush – Scirpus pallidus Native
Native in 36 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Water Birch – Betula occidentalis Native
Native in 10 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for sun or part shade.
Skunkbush Sumac – Rhus trilobata Native
Native in 18 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Canada Germander – Teucrium canadense Native
Native in 35 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Switchgrass – Panicum virgatum Native
Native in 34 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Thinleaf Alder – Alnus incana Native
Native in 7 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 25 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Common Juniper – Juniperus communis Native
Native in 16 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 10 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Canadian Milkvetch – Astragalus canadensis Native
Native in 35 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Wheat Sedge – Carex atherodes Native
Native in 33 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Slippery Elm – Ulmus rubra Native
Native in 4 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 85 ft that tolerates shade.
Golden Currant – Ribes aureum Native
Native in 13 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Common Cowparsnip – Heracleum maximum Native
Native in 34 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Alkali Cordgrass – Spartina gracilis Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Black Ash – Fraxinus nigra Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 65 ft for full sun.
Kinnikinnick – Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Native
Native in 13 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An evergreen shrub up to 6 in for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Coon's Tail – Ceratophyllum demersum Native
Native in 34 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Fox Sedge – Carex vulpinoidea Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade.
Black Cherry – Prunus serotina Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 80 ft for full sun, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Beaked Hazelnut – Corylus cornuta Native
Native in 11 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 15 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
Lewis Flax – Linum lewisii Native
Native in 34 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with showy flowers.
Needle Spikerush – Eleocharis acicularis Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A sedge for full sun.
Honey Locust – Gleditsia triacanthos Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 70 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Rabbit Brush – Chrysothamnus nauseosus Native
Native in 10 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for full sun, with late summer flowers.
Wild Bergamot – Monarda fistulosa Native
Native in 34 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Sand Dropseed – Sporobolus cryptandrus Native
Native in 28 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Black Cottonwood – Populus balsamifera subsp. trichocarpa Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun.
American Black Elderberry – Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis Native
Native in 8 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 7 ft for full sun, with spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Star Duckweed – Lemna trisulca Native
Native in 33 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Prairie Dropseed – Sporobolus heterolepis Native
Native in 26 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Black Cottonwood – Populus trichocarpa Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun.
Fourwing Saltbush – Atriplex canescens Native
Native in 8 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 4 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Jerusalem Artichoke – Helianthus tuberosus Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Sideoats Grama – Bouteloua curtipendula Native
Native in 26 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Eastern Black Walnut – Juglans nigra Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 100 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Smooth Sumac – Rhus glabra Native
Native in 8 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 12 ft for full sun, with showy fruit and fall colour.
Nuttall's Sunflower – Helianthus nuttallii Native
Native in 31 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers and showy fruit.
Toad Rush – Juncus bufonius Native
Native in 26 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual rush for full sun and wet soil.
Eastern Redcedar – Juniperus virginiana Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 50 ft for sun or part shade, with showy fruit.
Speckled Alder – Alnus incana subsp. rugosa Native
Native in 7 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub or small tree up to 16 ft for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Black-Eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta Native
Native in 30 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A wildflower for full sun, with summer flowers.
Fowl Mannagrass – Glyceria striata Native
Native in 24 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Ponderosa Pine – Pinus ponderosa Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An evergreen tree up to 223 ft for full sun.
Gray Dogwood – Cornus racemosa Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 10 ft that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Philadelphia Daisy – Erigeron philadelphicus Native
Native in 30 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Inland Rush – Juncus interior Native
Native in 24 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade.
Shagbark Hickory – Carya ovata Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 75 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Alderleaf Buckthorn – Rhamnus alnifolia Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Cutleaf Coneflower – Rudbeckia laciniata Native
Native in 25 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Knotted Rush – Juncus nodosus Native
Native in 24 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial rush for full sun.
Western Catalpa – Catalpa speciosa Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A tree up to 60 ft for full sun, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Big Sagebrush – Artemisia tridentata Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An evergreen shrub or small tree up to 4 ft for full sun, with showy fruit.
Littleleaf Buttercup – Ranunculus abortivus Native
Native in 23 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A plant that tolerates shade.
Water Sedge – Carex aquatilis Native
Native in 24 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Bog Birch – Betula pumila Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 20 ft for full sun and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Pennsylvania Buttercup – Ranunculus pensylvanicus Native
Native in 22 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Golden Sedge – Carex aurea Native
Native in 21 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Red Currant – Ribes triste Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 2 ft that tolerates shade, with showy fruit.
Common Sneeze Weed – Helenium autumnale Native
Native in 21 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with fall flowers.
Panicled Bulrush – Scirpus microcarpus Native
Native in 21 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Russet Buffaloberry – Shepherdia canadensis Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
White Doll's Daisy – Boltonia asteroides Native
Native in 21 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Rice Cutgrass – Leersia oryzoides Native
Native in 21 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Black Raspberry – Rubus occidentalis Native
Native in 4 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 6 ft for sun or part shade, with mid-spring flowers and showy fruit.
Cinquefoil – Potentilla gracilis Native
Native in 20 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Fringed Brome – Bromus ciliatus Native
Native in 19 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Wax Currant – Ribes cereum Native
Native in 3 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for full sun, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Common Goldstar – Hypoxis hirsuta Native
Native in 18 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with early spring flowers.
Tall Cottongrass – Eriophorum angustifolium Native
Native in 19 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil, with fall colour.
Shadscale Saltbush – Atriplex confertifolia Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 3 ft for full sun.
Utah Sweetvetch – Hedysarum boreale Native
Native in 16 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late spring flowers.
Thickspike Wheatgrass – Elymus lanceolatus lanceolatus Native
Native in 19 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Woolly Beachheather – Hudsonia tomentosa Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A shrub up to 1 ft for full sun, with late spring flowers and fall colour.
Pennsylvania Smartweed – Polygonum pensylvanicum Native
Native in 15 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual wildflower for full sun, with spring flowers.
Bluejoint – Calamagrostis canadensis Native
Native in 17 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun and wet soil.
Broadleaf Arrowhead – Sagittaria latifolia Native
Native in 14 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Indian Rice Grass – Stipa hymenoides Native
Native in 16 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Swamp Milkweed – Asclepias incarnata Native
Native in 14 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with fall flowers.
Indian Ricegrass – Achnatherum hymenoides Native
Native in 16 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Bristly Buttercup – Ranunculus hispidus Native
Native in 10 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early spring flowers.
Longstyle Rush – Juncus longistylis Native
Native in 16 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial rush for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Closed Bottle Gentian – Gentiana andrewsii Native
Native in 10 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers and fall colour.
Sand Bluestem – Andropogon hallii Native
Native in 15 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Common Duckmeat – Spirodela polyrrhiza Native
Native in 9 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late summer flowers.
Upright Sedge – Carex stricta Native
Native in 14 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade.
Golden Tickseed – Coreopsis tinctoria Native
Native in 9 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A wildflower for sun or part shade, with late spring flowers.
Common Spikerush – Eleocharis palustris Native
Native in 13 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
American Speedwell – Veronica americana Native
Native in 8 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with midsummer flowers.
Troublesome Sedge – Carex molesta Native
Native in 13 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Marsh Marigold – Caltha palustris Native
Native in 8 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Bebb's Sedge – Carex bebbii Native
Native in 11 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Common Selfheal – Prunella vulgaris Native
Native in 7 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade, with midsummer flowers.
Crested Sedge – Carex cristatella Native
Native in 10 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Darkthroat Shootingstar – Dodecatheon pulchellum Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers and showy fruit.
Limestone Meadow Sedge – Carex granularis Native
Native in 10 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Ditch Stonecrop – Penthorum sedoides Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for sun or part shade.
Awlfruit Sedge – Carex stipata Native
Native in 9 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Largeleaf Avens – Geum macrophyllum Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with late spring flowers.
Yellow Indian Grass – Sorghastrum nutans Native
Native in 9 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Longleaf Pondweed – Potamogeton nodosus Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Eastern Woodland Sedge – Carex blanda Native
Native in 8 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Jack in the Pulpit – Arisaema triphyllum Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade, with early summer flowers, showy fruit and fall colour.
Bicknell's Sedge – Carex bicknellii Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade.
Nodding Waternymph – Najas flexilis Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Little Green Sedge – Carex viridula Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Pale Touch-Me-Not – Impatiens pallida Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual that tolerates shade.
Sweet Woodreed – Cinna arundinacea Native
Native in 6 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Illinois Bundleflower – Desmanthus illinoensis Native
Native in 3 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with early summer flowers.
Bluebunch Wheatgrass – Pseudoroegneria spicata spicata Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Prairie Blazing Star – Liatris pycnostachya Native
Native in 3 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with midsummer flowers.
Fragrant Flatsedge – Cyperus odoratus Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A sedge for full sun.
Purplestem Beggarticks – Bidens connata Native
Native in 3 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual wildflower for sun or part shade, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Hairy Sedge – Carex lacustris Native
Native in 5 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
American Water Plantain – Alisma subcordatum Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Broom Sedge – Carex scoparia Native
Native in 4 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Rocky Mountain Iris – Iris missouriensis Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with spring flowers and showy fruit.
Slenderbeak Sedge – Carex athrostachya Native
Native in 4 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Smooth Hedgenettle – Stachys tenuifolia Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower that tolerates shade and wet soil, with late spring flowers.
Softleaf Sedge – Carex disperma Native
Native in 4 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Buckbean – Menyanthes trifoliata Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for sun or part shade and wet soil, with mid-spring flowers.
Green Bulrush – Scirpus atrovirens Native
Native in 3 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun.
Clasping Coneflower – Dracopis amplexicaulis Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. An annual wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers and showy fruit.
Spiked Muhly – Muhlenbergia glomerata Native
Native in 3 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade and wet soil.
Dotted Smartweed – Polygonum punctatum Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A wildflower for full sun and wet soil, with summer flowers.
Alkalai Sacaton – Sporobolus airoides Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for full sun.
Largeleaf Pondweed – Potamogeton amplifolius Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Dwarf Spikerush – Eleocharis parvula Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Purple Avens – Geum rivale Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with mid-spring flowers.
Mexican Muhly – Muhlenbergia mexicana Native
Native in 2 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass for sun or part shade.
Sawtooth Sunflower – Helianthus grosseserratus Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial wildflower for full sun, with late summer flowers and fall colour.
Blue Wildrye – Elymus glaucus Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade and wet soil.
Seep Monkeyflower – Mimulus guttatus Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A wildflower that tolerates shade, with mid-spring flowers.
Nebraska Sedge – Carex nebrascensis Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial sedge for full sun and wet soil.
Swamp Smartweed – Polygonum hydropiperoides Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
Whitegrass – Leersia virginica Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial grass that tolerates shade.
Sweetflag – Acorus americanus Native
Native in 1 of North Dakota’s 53 counties. A perennial for full sun and wet soil.
No plant on this page matches that.
USDA records 143 of these 225 plants as native in fewer than half of North Dakota’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.
North Dakota’s own list regulates 11 plants. None of them is on this page. North Dakota noxious weeds has each one, with the rule cited.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alderleaf Buckthorn | Rhamnus alnifolia | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 5 of 53 |
| Alkalai Sacaton | Sporobolus airoides | Grass | Full sun | 2 of 53 |
| Alkali Cordgrass | Spartina gracilis | Grass | Full sun | 31 of 53 |
| American Bittersweet | Celastrus scandens | Vine | Tolerates shade | 23 of 53 |
| American Black Elderberry | Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 8 of 53 |
| American Elm | Ulmus americana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 37 of 53 |
| American Hazelnut | Corylus americana | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 18 of 53 |
| American Linden | Tilia americana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 12 of 53 |
| American Plum | Prunus americana | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 37 of 53 |
| American Speedwell | Veronica americana | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 8 of 53 |
| American Water Horehound | Lycopus americanus | Perennial | Tolerates shade | 41 of 53 |
| American Water Plantain | Alisma subcordatum | Wildflower | Full sun | 2 of 53 |
| Arrowleaf Tearthumb | Polygonum sagittatum | Vine | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Arumleaf Arrowhead | Sagittaria cuneata | Wildflower | Full sun | 49 of 53 |
| Awlfruit Sedge | Carex stipata | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 9 of 53 |
| Balsam Poplar | Populus balsamifera | Tree | Full sun | 33 of 53 |
| Beaked Hazelnut | Corylus cornuta | Shrub or small tree | Tolerates shade | 11 of 53 |
| Bebb's Sedge | Carex bebbii | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 11 of 53 |
| Bicknell's Sedge | Carex bicknellii | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 6 of 53 |
| Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii | Grass | Full sun | 42 of 53 |
| Big Sagebrush | Artemisia tridentata | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 5 of 53 |
| Black Ash | Fraxinus nigra | Tree | Full sun | 2 of 53 |
| Black Cherry | Prunus serotina | Tree | Full sun | 2 of 53 |
| Black Cottonwood | Populus balsamifera subsp. trichocarpa | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Black Cottonwood | Populus trichocarpa | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Black Raspberry | Rubus occidentalis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 4 of 53 |
| Black-Eyed Susan | Rudbeckia hirta | Wildflower | Full sun | 30 of 53 |
| Blue Grama | Bouteloua gracilis | Grass | Full sun | 40 of 53 |
| Blue Wildrye | Elymus glaucus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 1 of 53 |
| Bluebunch Wheatgrass | Pseudoroegneria spicata spicata | Grass | Full sun | 5 of 53 |
| Bluejoint | Calamagrostis canadensis | Grass | Full sun | 17 of 53 |
| Bog Birch | Betula pumila | Shrub | Full sun | 5 of 53 |
| Box Elder | Acer negundo | Tree | Tolerates shade | 33 of 53 |
| Bristly Buttercup | Ranunculus hispidus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 10 of 53 |
| Broadfruit Bur-Reed | Sparganium eurycarpum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 46 of 53 |
| Broadleaf Arrowhead | Sagittaria latifolia | Wildflower | Full sun | 14 of 53 |
| Broadleaf Cattail | Typha latifolia | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 36 of 53 |
| Broom Sedge | Carex scoparia | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 4 of 53 |
| Buckbean | Menyanthes trifoliata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 1 of 53 |
| Burr Oak | Quercus macrocarpa | Tree | Sun or part shade | 32 of 53 |
| California Field Sedge | Carex praegracilis | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 38 of 53 |
| Canada Germander | Teucrium canadense | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 35 of 53 |
| Canada Goldenrod | Solidago canadensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 40 of 53 |
| Canada Wildrye | Elymus canadensis | Grass | Tolerates shade | 47 of 53 |
| Canadian Milkvetch | Astragalus canadensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 35 of 53 |
| Chokecherry | Prunus virginiana | Tree | Full sun | 42 of 53 |
| Cinquefoil | Potentilla gracilis | Wildflower | Full sun | 20 of 53 |
| Clasping Coneflower | Dracopis amplexicaulis | Wildflower | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Cloaked Bulrush | Scirpus pallidus | Sedge | Full sun | 36 of 53 |
| Closed Bottle Gentian | Gentiana andrewsii | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 10 of 53 |
| Common Cowparsnip | Heracleum maximum | Wildflower | Full sun | 34 of 53 |
| Common Duckmeat | Spirodela polyrrhiza | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 9 of 53 |
| Common Duckweed | Lemna minor | Perennial | Full sun | 40 of 53 |
| Common Goldstar | Hypoxis hirsuta | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 18 of 53 |
| Common Hackberry | Celtis occidentalis | Tree | Tolerates shade | 19 of 53 |
| Common Juniper | Juniperus communis | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 16 of 53 |
| Common Selfheal | Prunella vulgaris | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 7 of 53 |
| Common Sneeze Weed | Helenium autumnale | Wildflower | Full sun | 21 of 53 |
| Common Spikerush | Eleocharis palustris | Sedge | Full sun | 13 of 53 |
| Coon's Tail | Ceratophyllum demersum | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 34 of 53 |
| Creeping Juniper | Juniperus horizontalis | Shrub | Full sun | 18 of 53 |
| Crested Sedge | Carex cristatella | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 10 of 53 |
| Crested Woodfern | Dryopteris cristata | Fern | Tolerates shade | 4 of 53 |
| Cutleaf Coneflower | Rudbeckia laciniata | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 25 of 53 |
| Darkthroat Shootingstar | Dodecatheon pulchellum | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 6 of 53 |
| Devil's Beggartick | Bidens frondosa | Annual | Sun or part shade | 44 of 53 |
| Ditch Stonecrop | Penthorum sedoides | Perennial | Sun or part shade | 6 of 53 |
| Dotted Blazing Star | Liatris punctata | Wildflower | Full sun | 41 of 53 |
| Dotted Smartweed | Polygonum punctatum | Wildflower | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Downy Paintedcup | Castilleja sessiliflora | Wildflower | Full sun | 39 of 53 |
| Dwarf Spikerush | Eleocharis parvula | Sedge | Full sun | 2 of 53 |
| Eastern Black Walnut | Juglans nigra | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Eastern Cottonwood | Populus deltoides | Tree | Full sun | 36 of 53 |
| Eastern Redcedar | Juniperus virginiana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 1 of 53 |
| Eastern Woodland Sedge | Carex blanda | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 8 of 53 |
| Field Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | Horsetail | Sun or part shade | 40 of 53 |
| Fourwing Saltbush | Atriplex canescens | Shrub | Full sun | 8 of 53 |
| Fowl Bluegrass | Poa palustris | Grass | Sun or part shade | 45 of 53 |
| Fowl Mannagrass | Glyceria striata | Grass | Tolerates shade | 24 of 53 |
| Fox Sedge | Carex vulpinoidea | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 31 of 53 |
| Fragrant Flatsedge | Cyperus odoratus | Sedge | Full sun | 5 of 53 |
| Fringed Brome | Bromus ciliatus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 19 of 53 |
| Gardner's Saltbush | Atriplex gardneri | Shrub | Full sun | 24 of 53 |
| Giant Goldenrod | Solidago gigantea | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 38 of 53 |
| Golden Currant | Ribes aureum | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 13 of 53 |
| Golden Sedge | Carex aurea | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 21 of 53 |
| Golden Tickseed | Coreopsis tinctoria | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 9 of 53 |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 6 of 53 |
| Great Blanket Flower | Gaillardia aristata | Wildflower | Full sun | 44 of 53 |
| Green Ash | Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Tree | Tolerates shade | 42 of 53 |
| Green Bulrush | Scirpus atrovirens | Sedge | Full sun | 3 of 53 |
| Green Needlegrass | Nassella viridula | Grass | Full sun | 45 of 53 |
| Groundnut | Apios americana | Vine | Tolerates shade | 1 of 53 |
| Hairy Sedge | Carex lacustris | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 5 of 53 |
| Honey Locust | Gleditsia triacanthos | Tree | Full sun | 2 of 53 |
| Hophornbeam | Ostrya virginiana | Tree | Tolerates shade | 10 of 53 |
| Illinois Bundleflower | Desmanthus illinoensis | Wildflower | Full sun | 3 of 53 |
| Indian Rice Grass | Stipa hymenoides | Grass | Full sun | 16 of 53 |
| Indian Ricegrass | Achnatherum hymenoides | Grass | Full sun | 16 of 53 |
| Inland Rush | Juncus interior | Rush | Sun or part shade | 24 of 53 |
| Jack in the Pulpit | Arisaema triphyllum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 5 of 53 |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | Helianthus tuberosus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 31 of 53 |
| June Grass | Koeleria macrantha | Grass | Tolerates shade | 49 of 53 |
| Kinnikinnick | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 13 of 53 |
| Knotted Rush | Juncus nodosus | Rush | Full sun | 24 of 53 |
| Largeleaf Avens | Geum macrophyllum | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 6 of 53 |
| Largeleaf Pondweed | Potamogeton amplifolius | Perennial | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Leadplant | Amorpha canescens | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 31 of 53 |
| Lewis Flax | Linum lewisii | Wildflower | Full sun | 34 of 53 |
| Limestone Meadow Sedge | Carex granularis | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 10 of 53 |
| Little Bluestem | Schizachyrium scoparium | Grass | Full sun | 40 of 53 |
| Little Green Sedge | Carex viridula | Sedge | Full sun | 6 of 53 |
| Littleleaf Buttercup | Ranunculus abortivus | Plant | Tolerates shade | 23 of 53 |
| Longbeak Buttercup | Ranunculus longirostris | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 42 of 53 |
| Longleaf Pondweed | Potamogeton nodosus | Perennial | Full sun | 6 of 53 |
| Longstyle Rush | Juncus longistylis | Rush | Sun or part shade | 16 of 53 |
| Marsh Marigold | Caltha palustris | Wildflower | Full sun | 8 of 53 |
| Mexican Hat | Ratibida columnifera | Wildflower | Full sun | 49 of 53 |
| Mexican Muhly | Muhlenbergia mexicana | Grass | Sun or part shade | 2 of 53 |
| Missouri River Willow | Salix eriocephala | Tree | Tolerates shade | 26 of 53 |
| Nannyberry | Viburnum lentago | Tree | Tolerates shade | 31 of 53 |
| Nebraska Sedge | Carex nebrascensis | Sedge | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Needle and Thread | Hesperostipa comata comata | Grass | Full sun | 45 of 53 |
| Needle and Thread Grass | Stipa comata | Grass | Full sun | 45 of 53 |
| Needle Spikerush | Eleocharis acicularis | Sedge | Full sun | 31 of 53 |
| Nodding Beggartick | Bidens cernua | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 44 of 53 |
| Nodding Waternymph | Najas flexilis | Annual | Sun or part shade | 5 of 53 |
| Northern Reedgrass | Calamagrostis stricta subsp. inexpansa | Grass | Sun or part shade | 39 of 53 |
| Nuttall's Alkaligrass | Puccinellia nuttalliana | Grass | Full sun | 47 of 53 |
| Nuttall's Sunflower | Helianthus nuttallii | Wildflower | Full sun | 31 of 53 |
| Pale Touch-Me-Not | Impatiens pallida | Annual | Tolerates shade | 5 of 53 |
| Panicled Bulrush | Scirpus microcarpus | Sedge | Full sun | 21 of 53 |
| Paper Birch | Betula papyrifera | Tree | Full sun | 14 of 53 |
| Peachleaf Willow | Salix amygdaloides | Tree | Full sun | 44 of 53 |
| Pennsylvania Buttercup | Ranunculus pensylvanicus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 22 of 53 |
| Pennsylvania Smartweed | Polygonum pensylvanicum | Wildflower | Full sun | 15 of 53 |
| Philadelphia Daisy | Erigeron philadelphicus | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 30 of 53 |
| Pin Cherry | Prunus pensylvanica | Tree | Full sun | 18 of 53 |
| Plains Cottonwood | Populus deltoides subsp. monilifera | Tree | Full sun | 36 of 53 |
| Ponderosa Pine | Pinus ponderosa | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Prairie Blazing Star | Liatris pycnostachya | Wildflower | Full sun | 3 of 53 |
| Prairie Cordgrass | Spartina pectinata | Grass | Full sun | 51 of 53 |
| Prairie Dropseed | Sporobolus heterolepis | Grass | Sun or part shade | 26 of 53 |
| Prairie Sagewort | Artemisia frigida | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 45 of 53 |
| Prairie Sandreed | Calamovilfa longifolia | Grass | Full sun | 39 of 53 |
| Purple Avens | Geum rivale | Wildflower | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Purplestem Beggarticks | Bidens connata | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 3 of 53 |
| Pussy Willow | Salix discolor | Tree | Tolerates shade | 14 of 53 |
| Quaking Aspen | Populus tremuloides | Tree | Full sun | 35 of 53 |
| Rabbit Brush | Chrysothamnus nauseosus | Shrub | Full sun | 10 of 53 |
| Red Currant | Ribes triste | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 5 of 53 |
| Red Osier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 41 of 53 |
| Red-Barked Dogwood | Cornus alba | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 41 of 53 |
| Redosier Dogwood | Cornus sericea sericea | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 41 of 53 |
| Rice Cutgrass | Leersia oryzoides | Grass | Full sun | 21 of 53 |
| Riverbank Grape | Vitis riparia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 20 of 53 |
| Rocky Mountain Iris | Iris missouriensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 2 of 53 |
| Rocky Mountain Juniper | Juniperus scopulorum | Tree | Full sun | 17 of 53 |
| Russet Buffaloberry | Shepherdia canadensis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 5 of 53 |
| Salt Grass | Distichlis spicata | Grass | Full sun | 43 of 53 |
| Sand Bluestem | Andropogon hallii | Grass | Full sun | 15 of 53 |
| Sand Dropseed | Sporobolus cryptandrus | Grass | Full sun | 28 of 53 |
| Sandbar Willow | Salix interior | Tree | Full sun | 49 of 53 |
| Sandcherry | Prunus pumila | Shrub | Tolerates shade | 25 of 53 |
| Sawtooth Sunflower | Helianthus grosseserratus | Wildflower | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Seep Monkeyflower | Mimulus guttatus | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 1 of 53 |
| Shadscale Saltbush | Atriplex confertifolia | Shrub | Full sun | 2 of 53 |
| Shagbark Hickory | Carya ovata | Tree | Sun or part shade | 1 of 53 |
| Shining Willow | Salix lucida | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 19 of 53 |
| Showy Milkweed | Asclepias speciosa | Wildflower | Full sun | 36 of 53 |
| Sideoats Grama | Bouteloua curtipendula | Grass | Full sun | 26 of 53 |
| Silver Buffaloberry | Shepherdia argentea | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 31 of 53 |
| Silver Sagebrush | Artemisia cana | Shrub | Full sun | 22 of 53 |
| Silverweed | Potentilla anserina | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 41 of 53 |
| Silverweed Cinquefoil | Argentina anserina | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 41 of 53 |
| Skunkbush Sumac | Rhus trilobata | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 18 of 53 |
| Slenderbeak Sedge | Carex athrostachya | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 4 of 53 |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | Tree | Tolerates shade | 4 of 53 |
| Smooth Hedgenettle | Stachys tenuifolia | Wildflower | Tolerates shade | 2 of 53 |
| Smooth Sumac | Rhus glabra | Shrub or small tree | Full sun | 8 of 53 |
| Softleaf Sedge | Carex disperma | Sedge | Sun or part shade | 4 of 53 |
| Softstem Bulrush | Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani | Sedge | Full sun | 50 of 53 |
| Speckled Alder | Alnus incana subsp. rugosa | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 7 of 53 |
| Spiked Muhly | Muhlenbergia glomerata | Grass | Sun or part shade | 3 of 53 |
| Star Duckweed | Lemna trisulca | Perennial | Full sun | 33 of 53 |
| Swamp Milkweed | Asclepias incarnata | Wildflower | Full sun | 14 of 53 |
| Swamp Smartweed | Polygonum hydropiperoides | Perennial | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Sweet Woodreed | Cinna arundinacea | Grass | Tolerates shade | 6 of 53 |
| Sweetflag | Acorus americanus | Perennial | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Switchgrass | Panicum virgatum | Grass | Full sun | 34 of 53 |
| Tall Cottongrass | Eriophorum angustifolium | Sedge | Full sun | 19 of 53 |
| Thickspike Wheatgrass | Elymus lanceolatus lanceolatus | Grass | Full sun | 19 of 53 |
| Thinleaf Alder | Alnus incana | Tree | Sun or part shade | 7 of 53 |
| Toad Rush | Juncus bufonius | Rush | Full sun | 26 of 53 |
| Torrey's Rush | Juncus torreyi | Rush | Full sun | 43 of 53 |
| Troublesome Sedge | Carex molesta | Sedge | Full sun | 13 of 53 |
| Trumpet Vine | Campsis radicans | Vine | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Upright Sedge | Carex stricta | Sedge | Tolerates shade | 14 of 53 |
| Utah Sweetvetch | Hedysarum boreale | Wildflower | Full sun | 16 of 53 |
| Virginia Wildrye | Elymus virginicus | Grass | Tolerates shade | 37 of 53 |
| Water Birch | Betula occidentalis | Tree | Sun or part shade | 10 of 53 |
| Water Horsetail | Equisetum fluviatile | Horsetail | Full sun | 8 of 53 |
| Water Knotweed | Polygonum amphibium | Perennial | Full sun | 47 of 53 |
| Water Sedge | Carex aquatilis | Sedge | Full sun | 24 of 53 |
| Wax Currant | Ribes cereum | Shrub | Full sun | 3 of 53 |
| Western Brackenfern | Pteridium aquilinum | Fern | Tolerates shade | 1 of 53 |
| Western Catalpa | Catalpa speciosa | Tree | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Western Sand Cherry | Prunus besseyi | Shrub | Full sun | 25 of 53 |
| Western Service Berry | Amelanchier alnifolia | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 44 of 53 |
| Western Snowberry | Symphoricarpos occidentalis | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 49 of 53 |
| Western Virgin's Bower | Clematis ligusticifolia | Vine | Sun or part shade | 12 of 53 |
| Western Wheatgrass | Pascopyrum smithii | Grass | Full sun | 43 of 53 |
| Wheat Sedge | Carex atherodes | Sedge | Full sun | 33 of 53 |
| White Doll's Daisy | Boltonia asteroides | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 21 of 53 |
| White Meadowsweet | Spiraea alba | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 27 of 53 |
| Whitegrass | Leersia virginica | Grass | Tolerates shade | 1 of 53 |
| Wild Bergamot | Monarda fistulosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 34 of 53 |
| Wild Mint | Mentha arvensis | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 47 of 53 |
| Winterfat | Krascheninnikovia lanata | Shrub | Full sun | 20 of 53 |
| Woodland Horsetail | Equisetum sylvaticum | Horsetail | Tolerates shade | 2 of 53 |
| Woods' Rose | Rosa woodsii | Shrub | Sun or part shade | 36 of 53 |
| Woolly Beachheather | Hudsonia tomentosa | Shrub | Full sun | 1 of 53 |
| Woolly Yarrow | Achillea tomentosa | Wildflower | Sun or part shade | 49 of 53 |
| Yellow Indian Grass | Sorghastrum nutans | Grass | Full sun | 9 of 53 |
| Yellow Willow | Salix lutea | Shrub or small tree | Sun or part shade | 38 of 53 |
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 North Dakota?
This page lists the 225 plants that USDA PLANTS records as native to North Dakota and routinely available from nurseries: 33 trees, 40 shrubs, 71 wildflowers, 70 grasses and sedges, 5 ferns and 6 vines. They are a small part of North Dakota's native flora, chosen because you can buy them. Each one carries a map of the North Dakota counties where USDA records it growing wild.
What trees are native to North Dakota?
This page lists 33 trees native to North Dakota that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Sandbar Willow, Peachleaf Willow and Chokecherry, each recorded as native in at least 42 of North Dakota's 53 counties.
What shrubs are native to North Dakota?
This page lists 40 shrubs native to North Dakota that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Western Snowberry, Prairie Sagewort and Western Service Berry, each recorded as native in at least 44 of North Dakota's 53 counties.
What wildflowers are native to North Dakota?
This page lists 71 wildflowers native to North Dakota that nurseries routinely sell. The most widespread include Arumleaf Arrowhead, Mexican Hat and Woolly Yarrow, each recorded as native in at least 49 of North Dakota's 53 counties.
Is my plant native to North Dakota?
Search this page by common or scientific name. A plant missing from it can still be native to North Dakota: 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 North Dakota native everywhere in North Dakota?
Not necessarily. USDA records nativity county by county, and 143 of the 225 plants on this page are recorded as native in fewer than half of North Dakota's 53 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.