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Plants of Joshua Tree National Park

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

94,632
recent observations
50
species listed
50
plants

Naturalists have logged 94,632 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Joshua Tree. The most frequently seen is the Western Joshua Tree, with 6,785 recorded sightings.

Most-observed plants in Joshua Tree

Western Joshua Tree
Yucca brevifolia
6,785 observations
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
4,299 observations
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
4,077 observations
Silver Cholla
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
3,810 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Yucca
Yucca schidigera
3,792 observations · iNaturalist
Branched Pencil Cholla
Cylindropuntia ramosissima
3,718 observations · iNaturalist
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus engelmannii
3,579 observations
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
3,290 observations
Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
2,743 observations
California Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
2,692 observations
California Juniper
Juniperus californica
2,592 observations · iNaturalist
Teddybear Cholla
Cylindropuntia bigelovii
2,554 observations
Desert Bluebells
Phacelia campanularia
2,448 observations
Apricot Globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
2,236 observations
Chia
Salvia columbariae
2,146 observations · iNaturalist
Mesquite Mistletoe
Phoradendron californicum
1,888 observations · iNaturalist
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
1,749 observations · iNaturalist
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
1,703 observations · iNaturalist
Bladderpod
Cleomella arborea
1,644 observations · iNaturalist
Paperbag Bush
Scutellaria mexicana
1,599 observations · iNaturalist
Jojoba
Simmondsia chinensis
1,597 observations · iNaturalist
Sand Blazingstar
Mentzelia involucrata
1,536 observations · iNaturalist
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Phacelia crenulata
1,516 observations · iNaturalist
Parry's Nolina
Nolina parryi
1,488 observations · iNaturalist
Cushion Foxtail Cactus
Escobaria alversonii
1,485 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Trumpet
Eriogonum inflatum
1,475 observations · iNaturalist
Muller's Oak
Quercus cornelius-mulleri
1,429 observations · iNaturalist
Pancake Pricklypear
Opuntia chlorotica
1,396 observations · iNaturalist
Browneyes
Chylismia claviformis
1,373 observations · iNaturalist
Arizona Lupine
Lupinus arizonicus
1,350 observations · iNaturalist
Catclaw Acacia
Senegalia greggii
1,298 observations · iNaturalist
Cheesebush
Ambrosia salsola
1,153 observations · iNaturalist
Singleleaf Pinyon
Pinus monophylla
1,143 observations · iNaturalist
Smoketree
Psorodendron spinosum
1,138 observations · iNaturalist
Purple Mat
Nama demissa
1,122 observations · iNaturalist
Distant Phacelia
Phacelia distans
1,113 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Lavender
Condea emoryi
1,112 observations · iNaturalist
Wedgeleaf Goldenbush
Ericameria cuneata
1,110 observations · iNaturalist
Thickleaf Groundcherry
Physalis crassifolia
1,094 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Woodyaster
Xylorhiza tortifolia
1,077 observations · iNaturalist
Emory's Rockdaisy
Perityle emoryi
1,037 observations · iNaturalist
Parish's Goldeneye
Bahiopsis parishii
980 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Dandelion
Malacothrix glabrata
958 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Suncup
Chylismia brevipes
958 observations · iNaturalist
Mecca Woodyaster
Xylorhiza cognata
955 observations · iNaturalist
Burrobush
Ambrosia dumosa
954 observations · iNaturalist
Indigo-bush
Psorodendron schottii
873 observations · iNaturalist
Blue Palo Verde
Parkinsonia florida
872 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Tobacco
Nicotiana obtusifolia
870 observations · iNaturalist
Redstem Stork's-bill
Erodium cicutarium
826 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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