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Plants of Yosemite National Park

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

33,138
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 33,138 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Yosemite. The most frequently seen is the Giant Sequoia, with 1,952 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Yosemite include Giant Sequoia - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Giant Sequoia

Most-observed plants in Yosemite

Giant Sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum
1,952 observations
Mountain Pride
Penstemon newberryi
1,702 observations · iNaturalist
Leichtlin's Mariposa Lily
Calochortus leichtlinii
1,569 observations · iNaturalist
Snowplant
Sarcodes sanguinea
1,538 observations · iNaturalist
Pacific Dogwood
Cornus nuttallii
1,439 observations
California Incense-cedar
Calocedrus decurrens
1,163 observations · iNaturalist
Canyon Live Oak
Quercus chrysolepis
997 observations
California Black Oak
Quercus kelloggii
944 observations
Mountain Jewelflower
Streptanthus tortuosus
918 observations · iNaturalist
Purple Mountain-heath
Phyllodoce breweri
910 observations · iNaturalist
Showy Milkweed
Asclepias speciosa
859 observations
Mountain Misery
Chamaebatia foliolosa
828 observations · iNaturalist
Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
804 observations · iNaturalist
Fireweed
Chamaenerion angustifolium
746 observations · iNaturalist
Corn Lily
Veratrum californicum
712 observations
Woodland Pinedrops
Pterospora andromedea
674 observations · iNaturalist
Common Bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
674 observations
Western Azalea
Rhododendron occidentale
604 observations
Lodgepole Pine
Pinus contorta
592 observations
Sierra Stonecrop
Sedum obtusatum
589 observations · iNaturalist
Harlequin Lupine
Lupinus stiversii
585 observations · iNaturalist
Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
535 observations
Swamp Onion
Allium validum
523 observations · iNaturalist
One-seeded Pussypaws
Calyptridium monospermum
511 observations · iNaturalist
Mountain Spirea
Spiraea splendens
503 observations · iNaturalist
Sierra Juniper
Juniperus grandis
491 observations · iNaturalist
Heart-leaf Milkweed
Asclepias cordifolia
485 observations · iNaturalist
Whiteleaf Manzanita
Arctostaphylos viscida
483 observations · iNaturalist
Sierra Tiger Lily
Lilium parvum
482 observations · iNaturalist
Little Elephant's Head
Pedicularis attollens
479 observations · iNaturalist
Bigleaf Maple
Acer macrophyllum
455 observations
Lemmon's Paintbrush
Castilleja lemmonii
455 observations · iNaturalist
Ranger Buttons
Angelica capitellata
448 observations · iNaturalist
Sierra Gooseberry
Ribes roezlii
446 observations · iNaturalist
Bush Chinquapin
Chrysolepis sempervirens
445 observations · iNaturalist
White Bog Orchid
Platanthera dilatata
419 observations · iNaturalist
Cardinal Catchfly
Silene laciniata
394 observations · iNaturalist
Primrose Monkeyflower
Erythranthe primuloides
389 observations · iNaturalist
Sugar Pine
Pinus lambertiana
383 observations
Thimbleberry
Rubus parviflorus
382 observations
Sierra Columbine
Aquilegia pubescens
382 observations · iNaturalist
Mountain Hemlock
Tsuga mertensiana
381 observations
Mountain Whitethorn
Ceanothus cordulatus
373 observations · iNaturalist
Blushing Monkeyflower
Erythranthe erubescens
364 observations · iNaturalist
Alpine Gentian
Gentiana newberryi
362 observations · iNaturalist
White Fir
Abies concolor
361 observations
American Bistort
Bistorta bistortoides
354 observations · iNaturalist
Prettyface
Triteleia ixioides
353 observations · iNaturalist
California Fuchsia
Epilobium canum
351 observations · iNaturalist
Frosted Buckwheat
Eriogonum incanum
350 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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