wildflower

American  

[wahyld-flau-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

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Etymology

Origin of wildflower

First recorded in 1790–1800; wild + flower

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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

It gives money to farmers who have turned parts of their land over to schemes such as planting hedges, creating wildflower margins and protecting the soil.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Within 10-15 years, the former arable field had developed into a species-rich wildflower meadow.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026

Research led by Professor Carl Sayer at UCL Geography has found that abandoned farmland can recover naturally and develop into a diverse wildflower meadow, raising questions about some conventional methods used in habitat restoration.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 23, 2026

Alice Parfitt, conservation officer, said: "It would be great to see local communities getting hands-on through wildflower seeding and planting, practical habitat management and creative workshops."

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

As the title promised, the volume was lavishly illustrated with thumbnail-sized watercolor paintings, most of which depicted wildflower meadows and snowcapped mountain peaks.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

While its telescopes continued scanning the distant universe, unusually generous winter rains brought the surrounding outback to life in a brilliant display of wildflowers.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

A spectacular explosion of wildflowers has transformed the normally dry, rust-colored landscape of Western Australia into a vibrant patchwork of green and colorful blooms.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

Dark skies, aimless days and spring wildflowers draw many people.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Alongside their release, the authority have planted suitable plants for the birds to feed on - including "weedy" wildflowers like fumitory and vetch.

From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026

Camouflage helped, but it was hard not to notice a walking clump of wildflowers.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown

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