Plants

Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Large white, broad-petaled flower with yellow center — Delicate cliffrose flowers bloom on shrubs in spring.
NPS Photo /A Washuta

Vegetation on the monument and surrounding lands consists primarily of the pinyon-juniper woodland, grassland, and upland shrub communities typical of the Colorado Plateau. Pinyon-juniper woodland densely covers the higher elevations above the cliffs, and sparsely covers canyon sides. Thick stands of Gambel oak are found in the upper reaches of some drainages. Woodland trees are usually less than 20–30 feet (6–9 m) tall.

Open areas dominated by big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and greasewood are scattered in canyon bottoms. Other common shrubs include single-leaf ash, broom snakeweed, Utah serviceberry, yucca, Mormon tea, mountain mahogany, and cliffrose. Riparian plants common in canyon bottoms and other areas include coyote willow, horsetail, Rocky Mountain willow, western river birch, and several orchids.

Many cacti and wildflowers can also be found in the park.

Exotic invasive species are primarily found along park roads, heavily used trails, and the urban interface along the eastern boundary.

The park flora includes more than 66 families, 250 genera, and 450 species. A vegetation map is available.

At the bottom of this page, you can search the species list for the monument. For more information on vegetation at Colorado National Monument, visit the Northern Colorado Plateau Network website.