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

The council said contractors would use machinery with wide tracks to reduce damage from them to the area of wildflower grassland, marshy fen and wet woodland.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

"While previous studies on pollinators have generally focused on wildflower meadows, we're using pioneering new techniques that focus on trees," she added.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 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

Last night I sold out of carnation and wildflower bundles well before dark.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon