Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota

Late-Summer Wildflowers

Chris Grondahl photo: Rocky Mountain bee-plant (inset shows head of flower)
Chris Grondahl Rocky Mountain bee-plant
(Cleome serrulata)
Distribution: statewide
Habitat: sandy, upland prairie soils and roadsides
Flowers: bright pink, pinkish-purple to lavender in globe shapes at end of stalk
Height: 2-5 feet
Blooms: mid-June to early September
Family name: Caper (Capparaceae)
Other names: Bee spiderflower, Stinkflower, Pink bee-plant
Plant uses and other interesting facts: Plains Indians boiled leaves to eat and ground seeds into flour. Bees and other insects frequent this plant and songbird eat the seeds. This is an annual plant meaning it requires re-seeding each season.

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