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Plants of Grand Canyon National Park

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

15,234
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 15,234 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Grand Canyon. The most frequently seen is the Utah Agave, with 1,482 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Grand Canyon include Utah Agave - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Utah Agave

Most-observed plants in Grand Canyon

Utah Agave
Agave utahensis
1,482 observations
Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
969 observations
Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
819 observations · iNaturalist
Fernbush
Chamaebatiaria millefolium
781 observations · iNaturalist
Stansbury's Cliffrose
Purshia stansburyana
765 observations · iNaturalist
Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
695 observations
Utah Juniper
Juniperus osteosperma
565 observations · iNaturalist
Banana Yucca
Yucca baccata
504 observations
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus engelmannii
400 observations
Plains Pricklypear
Opuntia polyacantha
393 observations
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
386 observations
Sacred Datura
Datura wrightii
331 observations
Brown-spined Pricklypear
Opuntia phaeacantha
317 observations
Arizona Thistle
Cirsium arizonicum
310 observations · iNaturalist
Cottontop Cactus
Homalocephala polycephala
298 observations · iNaturalist
Spinystar
Escobaria vivipara
293 observations
Roundleaf Buffaloberry
Shepherdia rotundifolia
290 observations · iNaturalist
Whipple Cholla
Cylindropuntia whipplei
288 observations · iNaturalist
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
239 observations · iNaturalist
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine
Pinus brachyptera
237 observations · iNaturalist
Mat Rock Spiraea
Petrophytum caespitosum
232 observations · iNaturalist
Palmer's Penstemon
Penstemon palmeri
231 observations
Juniper Mistletoe
Phoradendron juniperinum
213 observations · iNaturalist
Thickleaf Beardtongue
Penstemon pachyphyllus
213 observations · iNaturalist
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
212 observations
California Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
208 observations
Mountain Phlox
Phlox austromontana
199 observations · iNaturalist
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
198 observations
Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
193 observations
Crimson Monkeyflower
Erythranthe verbenacea
192 observations · iNaturalist
Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
168 observations
Fremont Barberry
Berberis fremontii
163 observations · iNaturalist
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
161 observations · iNaturalist
Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
159 observations · iNaturalist
Creeping Mahonia
Berberis repens
151 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Paintbrush
Castilleja chromosa
149 observations
Horsetail Milkweed
Asclepias subverticillata
144 observations · iNaturalist
Graham's Nipple Cactus
Cochemiea grahamii
141 observations · iNaturalist
Beardlip Penstemon
Penstemon barbatus
138 observations
Green Ephedra
Ephedra viridis
136 observations · iNaturalist
Dwarf Lousewort
Pedicularis centranthera
135 observations · iNaturalist
Black Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris
134 observations · iNaturalist
Lobeleaf Groundsel
Packera multilobata
130 observations · iNaturalist
Common Hoptree
Ptelea trifoliata
129 observations
Engelmann's Pricklypear
Opuntia engelmannii
129 observations
Wholeleaf Paintbrush
Castilleja integra
127 observations · iNaturalist
Buckhorn Cholla
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa
126 observations · iNaturalist
Echinocereus canyonensis
Echinocereus canyonensis
122 observations · iNaturalist
Wax Currant
Ribes cereum
120 observations · iNaturalist
Torrey's Milkvetch
Astragalus calycosus
119 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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