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Plants of Death Valley National Park

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

35,851
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 35,851 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Death Valley. The most frequently seen is the Creosote Bush, with 2,360 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Death Valley include Desert Five-spot - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Desert Five-spot

Most-observed plants in Death Valley

Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
2,360 observations
Desert Holly
Atriplex hymenelytra
1,840 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Sunflower
Geraea canescens
1,741 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Fivespot
Eremalche rotundifolia
1,611 observations
Cottontop Cactus
Homalocephala polycephala
1,407 observations · iNaturalist
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
1,288 observations
Caltha-leaf Phacelia
Phacelia calthifolia
1,283 observations · iNaturalist
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Phacelia crenulata
1,272 observations · iNaturalist
Gravel Ghost
Atrichoseris platyphylla
1,217 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Rock Nettle
Eucnide urens
1,134 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Suncup
Chylismia brevipes
1,020 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Desert-snapdragon
Mohavea breviflora
950 observations · iNaturalist
Browneyes
Chylismia claviformis
854 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Trumpet
Eriogonum inflatum
848 observations · iNaturalist
Devil's Spineflower
Chorizanthe rigida
830 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Woodyaster
Xylorhiza tortifolia
785 observations · iNaturalist
Apricot Globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
698 observations
Western Joshua Tree
Yucca brevifolia
670 observations
Honeysweet
Tidestromia suffruticosa
634 observations · iNaturalist
Purple Mat
Nama demissa
591 observations · iNaturalist
Bigelow's Monkeyflower
Diplacus bigelovii
589 observations · iNaturalist
Turtleback
Psathyrotes ramosissima
586 observations · iNaturalist
Silver Cholla
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
581 observations · iNaturalist
Iodinebush
Allenrolfea occidentalis
578 observations · iNaturalist
Broad-leaved Gilia
Aliciella latifolia
563 observations · iNaturalist
Death Valley Sage
Salvia funerea
557 observations · iNaturalist
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus engelmannii
552 observations
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
540 observations · iNaturalist
Netvein Goldeneye
Bahiopsis reticulata
523 observations · iNaturalist
Lilac Sunbonnet
Langloisia setosissima
507 observations · iNaturalist
Burrobush
Ambrosia dumosa
501 observations · iNaturalist
Schott's Pygmycedar
Peucephyllum schottii
464 observations · iNaturalist
Frémont's Phacelia
Phacelia fremontii
453 observations · iNaturalist
Soft Prairie Clover
Dalea mollissima
432 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Desertstar
Monoptilon bellioides
410 observations · iNaturalist
Valley Ringstem
Anulocaulis annulatus
400 observations · iNaturalist
Showy Gilia
Gilia cana
395 observations · iNaturalist
Thickleaf Groundcherry
Physalis crassifolia
374 observations · iNaturalist
Death Valley Monkeyflower
Diplacus rupicola
354 observations · iNaturalist
Pebble Pincushion
Chaenactis carphoclinia
345 observations · iNaturalist
Emory's Rockdaisy
Perityle emoryi
345 observations · iNaturalist
Shadscale Saltbush
Atriplex confertifolia
341 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Paintbrush
Castilleja chromosa
333 observations
Chia
Salvia columbariae
322 observations · iNaturalist
Arrowweed
Pluchea sericea
304 observations · iNaturalist
Booth's Evening Primrose
Eremothera boothii
296 observations · iNaturalist
Narrow-leaved Cryptantha
Johnstonella angustifolia
295 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Chicory
Rafinesquia neomexicana
294 observations · iNaturalist
Little Gold Poppy
Eschscholzia minutiflora
292 observations · iNaturalist
Johnson's Beehive Cactus
Echinomastus johnsonii
292 observations · iNaturalist

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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