wildflower

American  

[wahyld-flou-er] / ˈwaɪldˌflaʊ ər /

Or wild flower

noun

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

2. the plant itself.

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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

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

Tilford advises making wildflower sojourns as soon as sightings come in.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

A premiere destination for wildflower viewing, Chino Hills State Park is host to wild hyacinth, poppies, Canterbury bells and redmaids through May.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

The cluster would, the company declared, be "more than twice the size of many of today's leading campuses", comprising various buildings, an on-site electrical substation and wildflower areas.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 2026

Crude as it was, capturing none of her loveliness, it was an unmistakable likeness, from her hair—the rich dark red of wildflower honey—to the stark black band painted across her eyes like a mask.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor