MOOSE, Wyo. — As wildflowers reach full bloom across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, Grand Teton National Park officials ask that visitors do not pick these blooms.

“Like most things in Grand Teton, wildflowers are wild and an important park resource,” said the park. “Do not pick flowers in the park and step lightly when walking around them.”

The park explained that wildflowers are an important part of any ecosystem. Insects and small creatures use them for food and give back by spreading pollen among the plants. Wildflowers also have deep root systems which make them resilient and capable of storing large amounts of water in the ground.

Photo: Nick Sulzer // Buckrail
Photo: Nick Sulzer // Buckrail
Photo: Nick Sulzer // Buckrail

Don’t know your Teton wildflowers? Here’s a quick guide for beginners.

She's a lover of alliteration, easy-to-follow recipes and board games when everyone knows the rules. Her favorite aspect about living in the Tetons is the collective admiration that Wyomingites share for the land and the life that it sustains.