On this page I’m listing things that are white in nature. It will only include things that exist in the natural world, or that are natural phenomena, on Earth, and anything in the known Universe.
The list includes biological things like plants, flowers and animals, and natural chemicals and gemstones. This list may include some white things that are obvious, and some that are not so obvious.
White Things in Nature
Various White Things
Clouds
Clouds are basically masses of water vapour and/or ice crystals that float in the atmosphere of the earth.
Snow
Snow is both beautiful and deadly. Snow is a grouping of ice crystals which build upon each other to form layers, which we call snow. When an area is covered in snow, that area becomes visible, even in the darkest of nights. This is because white reflects all light outwards, making whatever it covers visible.
Bone
Bones, we all have them, are basically hard tissue. Bone is mostly made up of calcium and collagen.
Cotton
Cotton is a naturally occurring fiber that comes from the cotton plant, known scientifically as Gossypium. Cotton is one of the most commonly used fibers in the world.
Salt
Salt is a mineral comprised of sodium chloride. Pure salt can either be considered white or translucent.
Limestone
Limestone is often found in marine type environments. It’s classed as a sedimentary rock made up of mostly calcium carbonate. Limestone is formed over millions of years; it’s the result of marine life such as coral and algae being slowly compressed.
Teeth
Teeth are sometimes referred to as the hardest bones in the body. However, this is not true. While there are some similarities between teeth and bone, there are also some big differences. The hardest white part of the tooth is called enamel, which is mainly made of calcium phosphate.
Gemstones
There are various types of precious stones, or gemstones that have a white coloration. These include moonstones, topaz, opal, and the jade stone to name a few.
Stars
Stars like our own sun may appear yellow, and other stars can appear red, orange, green, and blue. However, most of these colors are the result of distortions of light/wavelengths. The true color of many stars is white as they produce all wavelengths equally. The true color of a star is difficult to know, but some are definitely considered white. A white dwarf star, for example.
Sugar
Our common sweet tasting sugar is extracted from sugar cane or beets.
Fruits & Vegetables
Coconut
The coconut is a fruit that derives from palm trees (cocos nucifera) which grow in various tropical parts of the world. Coconuts have a hard brown fibrous exterior, and a softer white edible interior.
Cauliflower
The cauliflower is a commonly consumed vegetable, and it has been cultivated for thousands of years.
Animals
Cat
These furry little felines can have partially and sometimes entirely white fur.
Seagull
Seagulls have largely white-covered feathers and they are often found near coastal areas, such as beaches and large rivers.
Swan
Swans are large white feathered birds that are part of the Anatidae family, along with geese and ducks.
Tiger
White tigers are a rare color variant which is caused by a pigmentation condition known as leucism. White tigers are often bred, but it’s a condition that occurs naturally. However, as the image shows, even normal orange tigers have some white fur.
Polar Bear
The polar bear is the largest land predator. Their white fur is likely to have evolved to help camouflage them in their snowy habitat.
Orca
Orcas are a member of the dolphin family. They are large predatory marine mammals that are considered to be highly intelligent. They are well known for their black and white color mix.
Rabbit
These little furry mammals can be found with partially or entirely white fur.
Dog
Many breeds of dogs have white fur.
Arctic Fox
Arctic foxes share their environment with the polar bear. They likely evolved their fur color for the same reason.
Beluga
The beluga looks very much like a dolphin. However, it’s classed as a whale and has a whitish skin.
Yak
The white yak, also known as the Himalayan white yak, is a rare color version of the animal. Yaks are well known for their adaption to high-altitude living environments.
Weasel
There are various different species of weasels that have a light or white coat of fur. These species include the long-tailed weasel, the short-trailed weasel, and the least weasel.
Deer
The albino deer, also known as leucistic deer, has an entirely white coat of fur. Albinism is a genetic rarity that occurs within the deer species.
Hamster
As a child I had a white albino hamster called Snowy.
Rat
White albino rats can also be found.
Squirrel
Yes, albinism also occurs in the fluffy tailed squirrel populations.
Lion
This rare coloration is also caused by the same genetic condition that affects tigers, leucism.
Kangeroo
The albino kangaroo is also known as the morph kangaroo.
Cockatoo
Cockatoos are parrots that are known for their white-colored feathers and their distinctive yellow crest.
Sheep
Sheep are well known for their whitish-colored woolly coat.
Chicken
These well-known flightless birds can be found with almost entirely white feathers.
Plants/Flowers
White Champion
White Champion, also known as Silene latifolia, is native to parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It’s a flowering plant that has a short life cycle.
Field Bindweed
The field bindweed can be found across pretty much all of Europe and Asia. They are considered a perennial plant and their flowers can blossom in the late spring to early fall or autumn months.
Pelargonium Zonale
Pelargonium zonale was originally native to the Southern regions of Africa. Now it can be found across Europe and America.
Dandelion
Dandelions are flowering plants that belong to the taraxacum genus. These are the white fluffy seeds that remain after the yellow flower has gone.
White Profusion
White profusion (Buddleja davidii) is a white variation of the butterfly bush.
Water Hyssop
The water hyssop (bacopa monnieri) is a herb and a perennial plant. It can be found in most places around the world, in areas close to bodies of water.
Rose
Roses are one of the most popular flowering plants that are found in a wide variety of colors.
Yarrow
Found in various different grassland areas. Yarrow is a perennial plant that grows clusters of little white flowers that last from early summer until late fall/autumn.
Tulip
Tulips are native to Central Asia and were first cultivated in ancient Persia.
Lily
Lillies belong to the Lilium genus.
Daffodil
Daffodils are part of the Narcissus genus.
Jasmine
This fragrant plant belongs to the Jasminum genus.
Foxglove
The foxglove is a distinctive and easily recognizable flowering plant.
