Zion

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Zion National Park Common Plants The following abbreviations are used to describe where and when certain plants may be found in Zion. Location D= C = T = S = H= R = L = Lower washes, desert, sandy areas Canyons Talus slopes and mesas Slickrock, cliffs Hanging gardens, seeps Riparian (waterways) High Plateaus Blooming season Sp Su F W NF = Spring = Summer = Fall = Winter = No flower Sacred datura, also called Angel’s trumpet - Datura wrightii Located on the Colorado Plateau, but bordering the Basin and Range Province, Zion National Park is home to plants from both regions. Geologic uplift and erosion have resulted in elevations ranging from 3,600 to 8,700 feet. The park’s unique geology has created such diverse enviroments as deserts, canyons, slickrock, hanging gardens, riversides, and high plateaus. This is a sampling of Zion’s nearly 900 plant species. Rose Family (Rosaceae) Apple tree - Malus pumila C, Sp Tamarix Family (Tamaricaceae) Tamarisk or Saltcedar - Tamarix pentandra CR, Sp Su F Willow Family (Salicaceae) Fremont cottonwood - Populus fremontii Quaking aspen - Populus tremuloides Willow - Salix species (9) CSR, Sp SL, Sp CR, Sp Agave Family (Agavaceae) Narrow-leaved yucca - Yucca angustissima Datil yucca - Yucca baccata Utah yucca - Yucca utahensis Barberry Family (Berberidaceae) Creeping hollygrape - Berberis repens Trees Elm Family (Ulmaceae) Netleaf hackberry - Celtis reticulata CL, NF CTSL, NF CTSL, NF SL, NF CSL, NF Bright red bark and thick, smooth leaves help to identify Manzanita Arctostaphylos. Its name, which means “small apple” in Spanish, comes from the appearance of its fruits. Shrubs Introduced (Non-native) Species = Birch Family (Betulaceae) Water/River birch - Betula occidentalis Pine Family (Pinaceae) White fir - Abies concolor Piñon/nut pine - Pinus edulis Singleleaf pinyon - Pinus monophylla Ponderosa pine - Pinus ponderosa Douglas fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii CR, Sp CT, Sp Juniper or Cypress Family (Cupressaceae) Arizona cypress - Cupressaceae glabra Utah juniper - Juniperus osteosperma Rocky Mountain juniper - Juniperus scopulorum C, NF DTSL, NF TRL, NF Maple Family (Aceraceae) Bigtooth maple - Acer grandidentatum Boxelder - Acer negundo CSL, Sp CSR, Sp Oak Family (Fagaceae) Gambel oak - Quercus gambelii Shrub live oak - Quercus turbinella Wavyleaf oak - Quercus undulata CTSL, Sp DCTS, Sp C, Sp Olive Family (Oleaceae) Singleleaf ash - Fraxinus anomala Velvet ash - Fraxinus velutina CTS, Sp CR, Sp Paradise Tree Family (Simaroubaceae) Tree of heaven - Ailanthus altissima C, Sp Su Pea Family (Fabaceae) New Mexico locust - Robinia neomexicana Black locust - Robinia pseudoacacia C, Sp C, Sp DCTSL, Sp DCT, Sp DCTSL, Sp CL, Sp Cashew/Sumac Family (Anacardiaceae) Smooth sumac - Rhus glabra Poison ivy - Rhus radicans Squawbush/threeleaf sumac - Rhus trilobata DCT, Sp CHR, Sp Su DCT, Sp Composite Family (Asteraceae) Old man sagebrush - Artemisia filifolia Big sagebrush - Artemisia tridentata Waterwillow - Baccharis emoryi Rabbitbrush - Chrysothamnus species (13) Broom Snakeweed - Gutierrezia sarothrae Bush encelia - Encelia frutescens virginensis DCT, Sp F DCL, F CR, F DC, F DCT, F DT, Su Dogwood Family (Cornaceae) Red-osier dogwood - Cornus stolonifera L, Sp Goosefoot Family (Chenopodiaceae) Four-wing saltbush - Atriplex canescens Shadscale - Atriplex confertifolia DC, Sp DT, Sp Grape Family (Vitaceae) Canyon wild grape - Vitis arizonica Mint Family (Lamiaceae) Dorr’s sage - Salvia dorrii CDT, Sp Oleaster Family (Elaeagnaceae) Russian olive - Elaeagnus angustifolia Roundleaf buffaloberry - Shepherdia rotundifolia CR, Sp DT, W Pea Family (Fabaceae) Indigobush/Desert beauty - Dalea fremontii D, Sp Potato Family (Solanaceae) Wolfberry/Tomatilla - Lycium pallidum DC, Sp Rose Family (Rosaceae) Saskatoon serviceberry - Amelanchier alnifolia Utah serviceberry - Amelanchier utahensis Mountain-mahogany - Cercocarpus species (3) Blackbrush - Coleogyne ramosissimum Western chokecherry - Prunus virginiana Cliffrose - Purshia mexicana Antelope bitterbrush - Purshia tridentata Wood’s wild rose - Rosa woodsii CL, Sp CTL, Sp S, Sp DC, Sp L, Sp DCTS, Sp CTL, Sp CRL, Su Silk-Tassel Family (Garryaceae) Silk-tassel bush - Garrya flavescens C, W CR, Sp Cacti Heath Family (Ericaceae) Manzanita - Arctostaphylos species (2) TSL, W Sp Honeysuckle Family (Caprifioliaceae) Elderberry - Sambucus caerulea Mountain snowberry - Symphoricarpos oreophilus L, Su CL, Sp Su Joint-Fir Family (Ephedraceae) Indian/Mormon tea - Ephedra viridis DCT, NF Cactus Family (Cactaceae) Purple torch - Echinocereus engelmannii Claret cup - Echinocereus triglochidiatus Pancake pricklypear - Opuntia chlorotica Common pricklypear - Opuntia erinacea Twist-spine pricklypear -Opuntia macrorhiza Large pricklypear - Opuntia phaeacantha Cholla - Opuntia species (3) CD, Sp DTS, Sp DCT, Sp Su DCT, Sp Su DCT, Sp Su DCT, Sp Su CD, Su Borage Family (Boraginaceae) Yellow cryptanth - Cryptantha confertiflora (11 others) TC, Sp Stickseed - Hackelia species (4) DTR, Sp Common sunflower - Helianthus annuus Hairy goldenaster - Heterotheca villosa Tansy-aster - Machaeranthera species (3) Basin groundsel - Senecio multilobatus Goldenrod - Solidago species (3) Wire lettuce - Stephanomeria tenuifolia Showy goldeneye - Viguiera multiflora DCST, Su DTL, Su F DC, Su F DT, Sp DC, Su F All, Sp TR, Sp Su Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae) Wild buckwheat - Eriogonum species (20) Desert trumpet - Eriogonum inflatum Knotweed - Polygonum species (5) Canaigre/wild rhubarb - Rumex hymenosepalus Evening-Primrose Family (Onagraceae) Yellow camissonia - Camissonia multijuga (6 others) Tufted evening-primrose - Oenothera caespitosa Pale evening-primrose - Oenothera pallida (7 others) Hummingbird flower - Zauschneria latifolia DCTS, Sp TS, Sp Su DCSL, Sp CSL, Su F Herbs Bellflower Family (Campanulaceae) Cardinal-flower - Lobelia cardinalis CHR, Su F DTSL, Su F D, Sp Su F DLTR, Sp CD, Sp Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae) Golden columbine - Aquilegia chrysantha Larkspur - Delphinium species (3) Buttercup - Ranunculus species (6) CHR, Sp Su DCSL, Sp S, Sp Caltrop Family (Zygophyllaceae) Puncture-vine - Tribulus terrestris DT, Su Caper Family (Capparidaceae) Yellow beeplant - Cleome lutea Composite Family (Asteraceae) Yarrow - Achillea millefolium Mountain dandelion - Agoseris species (3) Desert marigold - Baileya multiradiata Arrowleaf balsamroot - Balsamorhiza sagittata Dusty-maiden - Chaenactis douglasii Arizona thistle - Cirsium arizonicum Spreading daisy - Erigeron divergens (9 others) Zion daisy - Erigeron sionis Hopi blanketflower - Gaillardia pinnatifida DS, Sp Su F CL, Su L, Sp DT, Sp F L, Sp L, Sp DCT, Sp Su DCTRL, Sp H, Sp Su DT, Sp Visitors often seek out the delicate blossoms of Zion Shooting star Dodecotheon pulchellum var. zionense and Palmer’s Penstemon Penstemon palmeri. Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae) Desert paintbrush - Castilleja chromosa Eastwood/Slickrock paintbrush - Castilleja scabrida Cardinal monkeyflower - Mimulus cardinalis Eaton penstemon - Penstemon eatonii Zion penstemon - Penstemon humilis Fuchsia penstemon - Penstemon x jonesii Royal/ smooth penstemon - Penstemon laevis Palmer’s penstemon - Penstemon palmeri Utah penstemon - Penstemon utahensis Common mullein - Verbascum thapsus Flax Family (Linaceae) Blue flax - Linum perenne var. lewisii Four-O’Clock Family (Nyctaginaceae) Fragrant sand-verbena - Abronia fragrans Showy four-o’clock - Mirabilis multiflora DCT, Sp S, Sp CHR, Sp F DCTL, Sp DCTL, Sp CS, Sp Su DCTL, Sp DCTL, Sp CSTL, Sp CRL, Su DCTL, Su DCTS, Sp F DCT, Sp Su Milkweed Family (Asclepiadaceae) Spider milkweed - Asclepias asperula Butterfly weed - Asclepias tuberosa DC, Sp Su DC, Sp Su Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) Rockcress - Arabis species (5) Zion draba - Draba asprella var. zionensis Wallflower - Erysimum asperum Watercress - Nasturtium officinale Twinpod - Physaria species (8) Prince’s plume - Stanleya pinnata CTL, Sp CSL, Sp DCTL, Sp HR, Sp TL, Sp DCT, Sp Orchid Family (Orchidaceae) Helleborine - Epipactis gigantea CSHR, Sp Pea Family (Fabaceae) Stinking milkvetch - Astragalus praelongus Zion milkvetch - Astragalus zionis (20 others) Prairie clover - Dalea searlsiae Zion sweetpea - Lathyrus zionis Utah deerclover /trefoil - Lotus utahensis (4 others) Elegant lupine - Lupinus concinnus (8 others) Thompson peteria - Peteria thompsonae Lean clover - Trifolium macilentum (3 others) Goldenpea - Thermopsis pinetorum American vetch - Vicia americana DCT, Sp DCT, Sp D, Sp DCT, Sp DCS, Sp DTL, Sp DCL, Sp Su CHL, Sp L, Sp CT, Sp Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae) Scarlet gilia - Ipomopsis aggregata (5 others) Nuttall gilia - Linanthastrum nuttallii Desert/Jones’ phlox - Phlox austromontana Long-leaf phlox - Phlox longifolia TL, Sp SC, Sp CS, Sp L, Sp DSHL, Sp Su DCTSL, Sp Gentian Family (Gentianaceae) Elkweed - Swertia radiata (2 others) L, Sp Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae) Sandwort - Arenaria species (6) Common chickweed - Stellaria media Geranium Family (Geraniaceae) Filaree/Storksbill - Erodium cicutarium CS, Sp Su F Poppy Family (Papaveraceae) Prickly/thistle poppy - Argemone munita (2 others) CSL, Su Goosefoot Family (Chenopodiaceae) Russian thistle - Salsola kali DC, Sp Potato Family (Solanaceae) Angel’s trumpet - Datura wrightii Silverleaf nightshade - Solanum elaeagnifolium DCT, Sp Su F DC, Sp Su Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae) Stinking gourd - Cucurbita foetidissima DCT, Sp Lily Family (Liliaceae) Wild onion - Allium species (3) Mariposa lilly - Calochortus species (3) Sego lily - Calochortus nuttallii Bluedicks - Dichelostemma pulchellum False solomon-seal - Smilacina stellata CL, Sp DCTL, Sp CTL, Sp CTSL, Sp CHR, Sp Madder Family (Rubiaceae) Bedstraw - Galium species (6) Madder - Rubia tinctoria C, Sp Su C, Sp Su Mallow Family (Malvaceae) Globemallow - Sphaeralcea grossularifolia (4 others) DCTSL, Sp Primrose Family (Primulaceae) Zion shooting star - Dodecatheon pulchellum var. zionense Spiderwort Family (Commelinaceae) Spiderwort - Tradescantia occidentalis CLT, Sp Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae) Whitemargin spurge - Chamaesyce albomarginata DCT, Sp Waterleaf Family (Hydrophyllaceae) Wand phacelia - Phacelia heterophylla (10 others) DCL, Su Ferns & Fern Allies Fern Family (Polypodiaceae) Maidenhair fern - Adiantum capillus (19 others) HR, NF Scouring Rush Family (Equisetaceae) Common Horsetail - Equisetum arvense (2 others) HR, NF Grasses & Grass-like Plants HR, Sp Purslane Family (Portulacaceae) Lanceleaf spring beauty - Claytonia lanceolata Southwestern bitterroot - Lewisia brachycalyx Miners/Indian lettuce - Montia perfoliata H, Sp L, Sp HR, Sp Rose Family (Rosaceae) Rockmat/rockspiraea - Petrophytum caespitosum Cinquefoil - Potentilla species (3) S, F L, Sp Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae) Hairy alumroot - Heuchera rubescens Woodland star - Lithophragma tenella In early spring, Claret Cup Cactus - Echinocereus triglochidiatus, lights up the lower desert section of Zion with scarlet blossoms. CSH, Su L, Sp Grass Family (Poaceae) Purple three-awn - Aristida purpurea Cane Bluestem -Bothriochloa barbinodis Blue grama - Bouteloua gracilis Ripgut brome - Bromus diandrus Cheatgrass - Bromus tectorum Squirreltail - Elymus elymoides Mutton grass - Poa fendleriana Needle-and-thread grass - Stipa comata Indian ricegrass - Stipa hymenoides Desert needlegrass - Stipa speciosa CT, Su F CT, Su F CT, Su F DC, Sp DC, Sp DCL, Sp DCL, Sp DC, Sp DCTS, Sp DT, Su Rush Family (Juncaceae) Swordleaf rush - Juncus xiphioides HR, Sp Sedge Family (Cyperaceae) Ovalhead sedge - Carex festivella Panicled bulrush - Scirpus microcarpus HR, Sp Su HR, Sp Su