Bitterroot is the state flower of Montana, producing large, showy pink-to-white flowers from a nearly leafless stem in spring. It grows from a thick, starchy root that was a crucial food source for indigenous peoples of the Northwest, who traded it over vast distances. The plant is remarkable for its ability to survive uprooted for months and still regrow when replanted.
Best time to see a Bitterroot
The best time to see a Bitterroot is May–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 7,455 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Bitterroot? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Bitterroot sightings near you
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