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Plants of Badlands National Park

The plants most often spotted in Badlands, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

6,213
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 6,213 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Badlands. The most frequently seen is the Plains Pricklypear, with 668 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in Badlands

Plains Pricklypear
Opuntia polyacantha
668 observations
Scarlet Globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea
402 observations
Curlycup Gumweed
Grindelia squarrosa
315 observations
Field Bindweed
Convolvulus arvensis
236 observations
Saltlover
Halogeton glomeratus
234 observations · iNaturalist
Hoary Vervain
Verbena stricta
227 observations
Yellow Sweetclover
Melilotus officinalis
219 observations
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
193 observations
Crested Wheatgrass
Agropyron cristatum
188 observations · iNaturalist
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
170 observations · iNaturalist
Missouri Foxtail Cactus
Escobaria missouriensis
167 observations · iNaturalist
Grassland Pricklypear
Opuntia cymochila
160 observations · iNaturalist
Snow-on-the-mountain
Euphorbia marginata
151 observations
Racemose Milkvetch
Astragalus racemosus
149 observations · iNaturalist
Common Sunflower
Helianthus annuus
145 observations
Upright Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
139 observations
Musk Thistle
Carduus nutans
130 observations
Fragrant Evening Primrose
Oenothera cespitosa
127 observations · iNaturalist
Sego Lily
Calochortus nuttallii
123 observations
Alfalfa
Medicago sativa
122 observations · iNaturalist
Few-flower Buckwheat
Eriogonum pauciflorum
114 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Cottonwood
Populus deltoides
113 observations
Yellow Salsify
Tragopogon dubius
111 observations · iNaturalist
Great Plains Yucca
Yucca glauca
81 observations
Blue Grama
Bouteloua gracilis
78 observations
Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
77 observations
Rocky Mountain Juniper
Juniperus scopulorum
77 observations
Buffalo-bur
Solanum rostratum
74 observations · iNaturalist
Leafy Wildparsley
Musineon divaricatum
73 observations · iNaturalist
Rough Cocklebur
Xanthium strumarium
70 observations · iNaturalist
Smooth Brome
Bromus inermis
70 observations
Fringed Sagebrush
Artemisia frigida
69 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Bean
Thermopsis rhombifolia
68 observations
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
66 observations
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
61 observations
Meadow Deathcamas
Toxicoscordion venenosum
61 observations · iNaturalist
Textile Onion
Allium textile
61 observations · iNaturalist
Dotted Gayfeather
Liatris punctata
59 observations · iNaturalist
Silvery Scurfpea
Pediomelum argophyllum
57 observations · iNaturalist
Spiny Phlox
Phlox hoodii
55 observations · iNaturalist
Lambert's Locoweed
Oxytropis lambertii
49 observations
Western Snowberry
Symphoricarpos occidentalis
49 observations · iNaturalist
Cockscomb Oreocarya
Oreocarya glomerata
49 observations · iNaturalist
Scarlet Beeblossom
Oenothera suffrutescens
48 observations · iNaturalist
Prickly Russian Thistle
Salsola tragus
46 observations · iNaturalist
Fetid Marigold
Dyssodia papposa
45 observations · iNaturalist
Broom Snakeweed
Gutierrezia sarothrae
44 observations · iNaturalist
Slimflower Scurfpea
Pediomelum tenuiflorum
43 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
40 observations
Foxtail Barley
Hordeum jubatum
40 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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