Places › National Parks › Grand Canyon › Plants

Plants of Grand Canyon National Park

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

15,040
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 15,040 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Grand Canyon. The most frequently seen is the Utah Agave, with 1,475 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
1,475 observations
Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
890 observations
Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
806 observations · iNaturalist
Fernbush
Chamaebatiaria millefolium
773 observations · iNaturalist
Stansbury's Cliffrose
Purshia stansburyana
761 observations · iNaturalist
Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
673 observations
Utah Juniper
Juniperus osteosperma
557 observations · iNaturalist
Banana Yucca
Yucca baccata
499 observations
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus engelmannii
400 observations
Plains Pricklypear
Opuntia polyacantha
391 observations
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
387 observations
Sacred Datura
Datura wrightii
327 observations
Brown-spined Pricklypear
Opuntia phaeacantha
318 observations
Arizona Thistle
Cirsium arizonicum
304 observations · iNaturalist
Cottontop Cactus
Homalocephala polycephala
297 observations · iNaturalist
Spinystar
Escobaria vivipara
293 observations
Whipple Cholla
Cylindropuntia whipplei
287 observations · iNaturalist
Roundleaf Buffaloberry
Shepherdia rotundifolia
279 observations · iNaturalist
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
236 observations · iNaturalist
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine
Pinus brachyptera
236 observations · iNaturalist
Mat Rock Spiraea
Petrophytum caespitosum
231 observations · iNaturalist
Palmer's Penstemon
Penstemon palmeri
230 observations
Thickleaf Beardtongue
Penstemon pachyphyllus
213 observations · iNaturalist
Quaking Aspen
Populus tremuloides
209 observations
Juniper Mistletoe
Phoradendron juniperinum
208 observations · iNaturalist
California Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
207 observations
Mountain Phlox
Phlox austromontana
199 observations · iNaturalist
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
198 observations
Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
191 observations
Crimson Monkeyflower
Erythranthe verbenacea
191 observations · iNaturalist
Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
168 observations
Fremont Barberry
Berberis fremontii
163 observations · iNaturalist
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
160 observations · iNaturalist
Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
158 observations · iNaturalist
Creeping Mahonia
Berberis repens
150 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Paintbrush
Castilleja chromosa
148 observations
Horsetail Milkweed
Asclepias subverticillata
144 observations · iNaturalist
Graham's Nipple Cactus
Cochemiea grahamii
142 observations · iNaturalist
Beardlip Penstemon
Penstemon barbatus
138 observations
Green Ephedra
Ephedra viridis
135 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
126 observations · iNaturalist
Buckhorn Cholla
Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa
125 observations · iNaturalist
Echinocereus canyonensis
Echinocereus canyonensis
122 observations · iNaturalist
Wax Currant
Ribes cereum
120 observations · iNaturalist
Utah Serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
118 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.

Plants in nearby places

Out spotting plants in Grand Canyon?

Take Huck with you. Identify any plant you find in seconds and build your collection.

Get Huck

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.