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Plants of White Sands National Park

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

4,167
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 4,167 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in White Sands. The most frequently seen is the Soaptree Yucca, with 990 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in White Sands

Soaptree Yucca
Yucca elata
990 observations
Purple Sand Verbena
Abronia angustifolia
753 observations · iNaturalist
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
295 observations
Frosted Mint
Poliomintha incana
208 observations · iNaturalist
Hartweg's Sundrops
Oenothera hartwegii
188 observations · iNaturalist
Iodinebush
Allenrolfea occidentalis
145 observations · iNaturalist
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
145 observations
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
107 observations · iNaturalist
Torrey's Jointfir
Ephedra torreyana
97 observations · iNaturalist
Pale Evening Primrose
Oenothera pallida
93 observations
Rayless Greenthread
Thelesperma megapotamicum
90 observations · iNaturalist
Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
77 observations · iNaturalist
Upright Blazingstar
Mentzelia procera
77 observations · iNaturalist
Sand Fiddleleaf
Nama carnosa
72 observations · iNaturalist
Gypsum Centaury
Zeltnera maryanniana
63 observations · iNaturalist
Tree Cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
58 observations
Catchfly Prairie Gentian
Eustoma exaltatum
56 observations · iNaturalist
White Sands Fanmustard
Nerisyrenia linearifolia
52 observations · iNaturalist
Christmas Cholla
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
51 observations · iNaturalist
Sand Ricegrass
Eriocoma hymenoides
45 observations · iNaturalist
Eastern Cottonwood
Populus deltoides
38 observations
Little Bluestem
Schizachyrium scoparium
34 observations
Frémont Cottonwood
Populus fremontii
31 observations
Trans-Pecos Sea Lavender
Limonium limbatum
29 observations · iNaturalist
Bastard Toadflax
Comandra umbellata
28 observations · iNaturalist
Gypsum Phacelia
Phacelia integrifolia
28 observations · iNaturalist
Gypsum Grama
Bouteloua breviseta
25 observations · iNaturalist
Skunkbush Sumac
Rhus trilobata
25 observations · iNaturalist
Southern Goldenbush
Isocoma pluriflora
24 observations · iNaturalist
Harmel
Peganum harmala
21 observations · iNaturalist
Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
20 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Seablite
Suaeda nigra
17 observations · iNaturalist
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
16 observations
Hairy Crinklemat
Tiquilia hispidissima
16 observations · iNaturalist
Fluffgrass
Dasyochloa pulchella
15 observations · iNaturalist
Horsetail Milkweed
Asclepias subverticillata
15 observations · iNaturalist
Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
14 observations
Bicolor Fanmustard
Nerisyrenia camporum
14 observations · iNaturalist
Woolly Paperflower
Psilostrophe tagetina
10 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
9 observations · iNaturalist
Tahoka Daisy
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia
9 observations · iNaturalist
Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus coccineus
9 observations
Fineleaf Woollywhite
Hymenopappus filifolius
8 observations · iNaturalist
Woolly Tidestromia
Tidestromia lanuginosa
8 observations · iNaturalist
Cowpen Daisy
Verbesina encelioides
8 observations · iNaturalist
Honey Mesquite
Neltuma glandulosa
8 observations · iNaturalist
Black-spined Pricklypear
Opuntia macrocentra
7 observations
Fragrant Sumac
Rhus aromatica
7 observations
Spinystar
Escobaria vivipara
6 observations
Trans-pecos False Clapdaisy
Pseudoclappia arenaria
6 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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