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Plants of Carlsbad Caverns National Park

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

4,005
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 4,005 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Carlsbad Caverns. The most frequently seen is the Ocotillo, with 320 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in Carlsbad Caverns

Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
320 observations
Texas Mountain Laurel
Dermatophyllum secundiflorum
298 observations · iNaturalist
Agarita
Berberis trifoliolata
217 observations · iNaturalist
Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus coccineus
181 observations
Smooth Sotol
Dasylirion leiophyllum
170 observations
Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus stramineus
155 observations · iNaturalist
Lechuguilla
Agave lechuguilla
144 observations
Tree Cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
136 observations
Texas Rainbow Cactus
Echinocereus dasyacanthus
121 observations
Mexican Buckeye
Ungnadia speciosa
120 observations · iNaturalist
Texas Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus chloranthus
117 observations · iNaturalist
Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
101 observations · iNaturalist
Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
100 observations · iNaturalist
Redberry Juniper
Juniperus pinchotii
86 observations · iNaturalist
Whitecolumn Foxtail Cactus
Escobaria tuberculosa
81 observations · iNaturalist
Western Soapberry
Sapindus drummondii
81 observations · iNaturalist
Button Cactus
Epithelantha micromeris
76 observations · iNaturalist
Soaptree Yucca
Yucca elata
75 observations
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
70 observations
Upright Prairie Coneflower
Ratibida columnifera
64 observations
Netleaf Hackberry
Celtis reticulata
61 observations
Carpet Foxtail Cactus
Escobaria sneedii
58 observations · iNaturalist
Little Leaf Sumac
Rhus microphylla
58 observations · iNaturalist
Torrey's Yucca
Yucca torreyi
55 observations
Desert Willow
Chilopsis linearis
54 observations · iNaturalist
Texas Madrone
Arbutus xalapensis
54 observations · iNaturalist
Lyre-leaf Greeneyes
Berlandiera lyrata
52 observations · iNaturalist
Black Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris
50 observations · iNaturalist
Devilshead
Echinocactus horizonthalonius
50 observations · iNaturalist
Feather Dalea
Dalea formosa
48 observations
Blackfoot Daisy
Melampodium leucanthum
48 observations · iNaturalist
Little Nipple Cactus
Mammillaria meiacantha
45 observations · iNaturalist
Santa Fe Phlox
Phlox nana
41 observations · iNaturalist
Buffalo Gourd
Cucurbita foetidissima
40 observations · iNaturalist
Narrowleaf Globemallow
Sphaeralcea angustifolia
40 observations · iNaturalist
Mariola
Parthenium incanum
39 observations · iNaturalist
Evergreen Sumac
Rhus virens
39 observations · iNaturalist
Christmas Cholla
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
39 observations · iNaturalist
Carleton's Sand Verbena
Abronia nealleyi
38 observations · iNaturalist
Roundflower Catclaw
Senegalia roemeriana
38 observations · iNaturalist
Early Shaggytuft
Stenandrium barbatum
37 observations · iNaturalist
Snapdragon Vine
Maurandella antirrhiniflora
36 observations · iNaturalist
Pigeonberry
Rivina humilis
36 observations · iNaturalist
Skeletonleaf Goldeneye
Sidneya tenuifolia
35 observations · iNaturalist
Fiveflower Rockdaisy
Laphamia quinqueflora
35 observations · iNaturalist
Trailing Windmills
Allionia incarnata
34 observations · iNaturalist
Southwestern Ringstem
Anulocaulis leiosolenus
34 observations · iNaturalist
Scaly Cloak-fern
Astrolepis cochisensis
33 observations · iNaturalist
Gypsum Milkvetch
Astragalus gypsodes
33 observations · iNaturalist
Pungent Oak
Quercus pungens
32 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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