wildflower

American  

[wahyld-flou-er] / ˈwaɪldˌflaʊ ər /

Or wild flower

noun

wildflowers plural

1. the flower of a plant that normally grows in fields, forests, etc., without deliberate cultivation.

2. the plant itself.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• wildflowers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wildflower

First recorded in 1790–1800; wild + flower

Explanation

Blossoming plants that flourish without anyone having deliberately planted them are wildflowers. The tiny daisies, spiky blue lupine, and yellow California poppies you see along the side of the highway are all wildflowers. The thing wildflowers have in common is that they're flowering plants which grow wild, spreading freely in open fields, meadows, forests, or dunes. While many wildflowers are native plants that have thrived in a particular region over generations, some are cultivated plants which spread from people's yards and gardens into wild areas. The next time you see little purple asters along a hiking trail, or clumps of seaside goldenrod near the beach, you'll know you're looking at wildflowers.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wildflower wildflowers

Residents who live in the vicinity of Church Pulverbatch Parish Council in Shropshire have spent the past year sowing wildflower meadows and encouraging no mow areas.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

Other species to have been named after the broadcaster in the past include a wildflower, butterfly, grasshopper, dinosaur and ghost shrimp.

From BBC ● May 7, 2026

Other impressive features on the grounds include a saltwater pool; vegetable gardens; a wildflower meadow; an orchard of cherry, apple, and peach trees; and a sports court—ideal for Paul’s training.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 8, 2026

Theodore Payne, a California native plant nursery and education center, runs a wildflower hotline, where people can call in and hear weekly recorded reports on hot spots.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026

Her skin was blue and her slip was...it was pink, and her hair, spilling loose, was the orange-red of copper and persimmons, cinnamon and wildflower honey.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Phil Holden, who works for Shropshire Hills National Landscape, and volunteers with the group, said cutting back bracken and allowing wildflowers to bloom also helps the ancient site.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

The bees also visit fruit trees and wildflowers that bloom early in the season.

From Science Daily ● May 28, 2026

On a recent spring day, the road that runs alongside the Guadalupe River leading up to Mystic was carpeted with purple wildflowers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026

From California native wildflowers to historic Midcentury Modern design, this guide offers details about spring garden tours in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026

Her sturdy little legs carried her through the grass from one patch of wildflowers to another.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson