Purple is a common color among wild plants, making identification challenging. Due to the sheer diversity of species, a simple visual match is often insufficient for accurate identification. To narrow the possibilities, one must look closely at the plant’s structure, its growth habit, and the environment in which it is thriving. Focusing on these specific characteristics helps distinguish between common lawn weeds, tall roadside flowers, and less-frequently encountered species.
Common Low-Growing Purple Spring Blooms
Many of the earliest purple blooms in lawns and disturbed areas are short-lived, low-growing annuals. The common blue violet (Viola) is frequently seen, producing flowers with five petals and a distinct spur at the back. Violets are often stemless; the leaves and flower stalks grow directly from a basal rootstock, and the leaves are typically heart-shaped or kidney-shaped.
Another common pair of early-season weeds belongs to the mint family, identifiable by their square stems. Purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) has spade-shaped leaves, which are often tinged purple toward the top, attached by short stalks (petioles).
The closely related henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) shares the square stem and tubular, pink-to-purple flowers. A key differentiator is the leaf attachment: the upper leaves of henbit lack a stalk and appear to wrap directly around the stem, a feature known as sessile attachment. Both deadnettle and henbit grow low, typically reaching heights of four to ten inches before dying back in the summer heat.
Prominent Purple Wildflowers of Fields and Roadsides
Taller, more robust purple wildflowers dominate the open landscapes of fields and roadsides later in the season. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a perennial that can grow up to five feet tall, distinguished by stiff, wiry stems that exude a milky sap when broken. Its sky-blue to lavender flowers are composed entirely of ray florets, each with five small teeth at the tip, and they remain open for only a single day.
Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is a tall biennial, reaching three feet, often mistaken for native phlox. It is identified by its fragrant flowers, which consistently feature four petals arranged in a cross shape. The lance-shaped leaves alternate along the stem, and the flowers appear in large clusters ranging from white to deep purple.
Purple thistles (genus Cirsium) are structurally different, characterized by spiny leaves and erect stems. Thistle flowers are dense, spherical heads composed exclusively of disc flowers, giving them a fluffy, brush-like appearance. These plants are often quite tall, with some species growing over six feet, and are common in meadows and disturbed, open ground.
Essential Tips for Accurate Wildflower Identification
Accurate identification relies on a systematic approach focusing on several observable features beyond flower color. The arrangement of leaves on the stem is an effective clue, categorized as alternate (staggered singly), opposite (directly across), or whorled (three or more radiating from one point). Knowing the leaf arrangement can immediately rule out dozens of possibilities.
The flower’s structure provides details including the number of petals and the type of symmetry. Flowers can exhibit radial symmetry (divided into equal halves in multiple ways) or bilateral symmetry (divided into two equal halves along one plane), like mints and violets. Counting the petals is especially useful, as many plant families adhere strictly to a specific number, such as four for the mustard family or five for the rose family.
Stem characteristics offer further confirmation; for example, plants in the mint family have a noticeably square, four-sided stem. Conversely, the stems of grasses and many other wildflowers are typically round. Finally, the plant’s habitat is a powerful identifier, as some species are restricted to specific environments, such as the preference of Purple Loosestrife for wetlands or Chicory for dry, compacted roadsides.
Safety Considerations: Toxicity and Invasive Species
Never ingest a wild plant unless its identification is confirmed with absolute certainty. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is a highly toxic purple-flowering species. It features bell-shaped purple flowers and shiny, black, cherry-like berries that are extremely poisonous. All parts of this plant contain tropane alkaloids and pose a significant risk to humans and pets.
Some purple wildflowers are classified as invasive species, meaning they aggressively outcompete native flora and disrupt local ecosystems. Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a tall, wetland perennial that produces millions of seeds and forms dense stands, displacing native grasses and sedges. Dame’s Rocket is also considered invasive in many regions, quickly dominating open woodlands due to its prolific seed production.