Zion Shootingstar (Primula pauciflora var. zionensis)

Trees

Birch Family (Betulaceae)

Water birch - Betula occidentalis CR/Sp

Hemp Family (Cannabaceae)

Netleaf hackberry - Celtis reticulata CT/Sp

Juniper or Cypress Family (Cupressaceae)

Utah juniper - Juniperus osteosperma DPST/N

Rocky Mountain juniper - Juniperus scopulorum PRT/N

Maple Family (Aceraceae)

Bigtooth maple - Acer grandidentatum CPS/Sp

Boxelder - Acer negundo CRS/Sp

Oak Family (Fagaceae)

Gambel oak - Quercus gambelii CPST/Sp

Sonoran scrub oak - Quercus turbinella CDST/Sp

Wavyleaf oak - Quercus x undulata CP/Sp

Olive Family (Oleaceae)

Singleleaf ash - Fraxinus anomala CST/Sp

Velvet ash - Fraxinus velutina CR/Sp

Pea Family (Fabaceae)

New Mexico locust - Robinia neomexicana C/Sp

Black locust* - Robinia pseudoacacia C/Sp

Pine Family (Pinaceae)

White fir - Abies concolor CP/N

Piñon pine - Pinus edulis CPST/N

Singleleaf piñon - Pinus monophylla CPST/N

Ponderosa pine - Pinus ponderosa SP/N

Douglas fir - Pseudotsuga menziesii CSP/N

Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Apple tree* - Malus domestica C/Sp

Tamarix Family (Tamaricaceae)

Tamarisk/Saltcedar* - Tamarix ramosissima CR/Sp-F

Willow Family (Salicaceae)

Fremont cottonwood - Populus fremontii CRS/Sp

Quaking aspen - Populus tremuloides PS/Sp

Willow - Salix species (9) CR/Sp

Shrubs

Agave Family (Asparagaceae)

Narrow-leaved yucca - Yucca angustissima CDPST/Sp

Datil yucca - Yucca baccata CDT/Sp

Utah yucca - Yucca utahensis CDPST/Sp

Borage Family (Boraginaceae)

Narrowleaf yerba-santa - Eriodictyon angustifolium CDS/Su 

Barberry Family (Berberidaceae)

Creeping mahonia - Berberis repens CP/Sp

Fremont barberry - Berberis fremontii CDS/Sp

Cashew/Sumac Family (Anacardiaceae)

Smooth sumac - Rhus glabra CDT/Sp

Western poison ivy -Toxicodendron rydbergii CHR/Sp-Su

Skunkbush sumac - Rhus trilobata CDT/Sp

Fragrant sumac - Rhus aromatica CDT/Sp

Composite Family (Asteraceae)

Big sagebrush - Artemisia tridentata CDP/F

Old man sagebrush - Artemisia filifolia CDT/Sp, F

Waterwillow - Baccharis emoryi CR/F

Rabbitbrush/goldenbush - Ericameria species (4) CD/F

Broom snakeweed - Gutierrezia sarothrae CDT/F

Bush encelia - Encelia frutescens virginensis DT/Su

Dogwood Family (Cornaceae)

Red-osier dogwood - Cornus stolonifera P/Sp

Elder Family (Viburnaceae)

Red elderberry - Sambucus racemosa P/Su

Blue elderberry - Sambucus caerulea CRP/Su

Goosefoot Family (Chenopodiaceae)

Four-wing saltbush - Atriplex canescens CD/Su

Shadscale - Atriplex confertifolia DT/Sp

Grape Family (Vitaceae)

Canyon wild grape - Vitis arizonica CR/Sp

Heath Family (Ericaceae)

Manzanita - Arctostaphylos species (2) PST/W-Sp

Honeysuckle Family (Caprifioliaceae)

Snowberry - Symphoricarpos species (5) CP/Sp-Su

Joint-fir Family (Ephedraceae)

Ephedra/Mormon tea - Ephedra species (3) CDT/Sp

Mint Family (Lamiaceae)

Dorr’s sage - Salvia dorrii CDT/Sp

Oleaster Family (Elaeagnaceae)

Russian olive* - Elaeagnus angustifolia CR/Sp

Roundleaf buffaloberry - Shepherdia rotundifolia DT/W-Sp

Pea Family (Fabaceae)

Indigobush/Desert beauty - Dalea fremontii DT/Sp

Potato Family (Solanaceae)

Wolfberry - Lycium pallidum CD/Sp

Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Saskatoon serviceberry - Amelanchier alnifolia CP/Sp

Utah serviceberry - Amelanchier utahensis CPT/Sp

Mountain mahogany - Cercocarpus species (3) S/Sp

Blackbrush - Coleogyne ramosissimum CD/Sp

Western chokecherry - Prunus virginiana P/Sp

Cliffrose - Purshia stansburyana CDST/Sp

Antelope bitterbrush - Purshia tridentata CPT/Sp

Wood’s rose - Rosa woodsii CPR/Su

Silk-Tassel Family (Garryaceae)

Ashy silk-tassel - Garrya flavescens C/W

Cacti

Cactus Family (Cactaceae) CD/Sp

Hedgehog cactus - Echinocereus species (3) DST/Sp

Pricklypear cactus - Opuntia species (7) CDT/Sp-Su

 Beavertail cactus - Opuntia basilaris CDT/Sp-Su

Cholla - Cylindropuntia species (3) CD/Su

 Whipple’s Cholla - Cylindropuntia whipplei CD/Su

Herbs

Agave Family (Asparagaceae)

Bluedicks - Dichelostemma pulchellum CPST/Sp

Star-flowered lily-of-the-valley - Smilacina stellata CHR/Sp

Bellflower Family (Campanulaceae)

Cardinal-flower - Lobelia cardinalis CHR/Su-F

Borage Family (Boraginaceae)

Yellow cryptanth - Oreocarya confertiflora CT/Sp

Stickseed - Hackelia species (4) DRT/Sp

Western waterleaf - Hydrophyllum occidentale CR/Sp

Wand phacelia - Phacelia heterophylla CDP/Su

An asterisk * denotes introduced (non-native) species.

A circle ° denotes endemic species - those found only in this region.

The following abbreviations are used to describe where and 

when certain plants may be found in Zion National Park. 

Location

C = Canyons

D = Desert, lower washes, and sandy areas

H = Hanging gardens and seeps

P = Plateau

R = Riparian

S = Slickrock and cliffs

T = Talus slopes

Blooming Season

Sp = Spring

Su = Summer

F = Fall

W = Winter

N = No flower

Zion National Park is located at the 

convergence of three distinct ecological 

regions: the Colorado Plateau, the Mojave 

Desert, and the Great Basin. This unique 

location, along with Zion’s dramatic 

landscape and the prevalence of water, 

creates ideal habitat for a wide variety of 

plants. In all, Zion is home to over 1,000 

species of plants. This list provides a glimpse 

of the incredible biodiversity that can be 

found within the park.

Updated 7/2021

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Zion National Park

Common Plants

Crimson Monkeyflower (Erythranthe verbenacea)
Sacred datura (Datura wrightii) Sego Lily (Calochortus nuttallii)

Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae)

Antelope-horns - Asclepias asperula CD/Sp-Su

Butterfly milkweed - Asclepias tuberosa CDR/Sp-Su

Horsetail milkweed – Asclepias subverticillata CDP/Sp-Su

Evening-Primrose Family (Onagraceae)

Yellow camissonia - Chylismia multijuga CDST/Sp

Hummingbird flower – Epilobium canum CPS/Su-F

Tufted evening-primrose - Oenothera caespitosa ST/Sp-Su

Pale evening-primrose - Oenothera pallida CDPS/Sp

Longstem evening-primrose - Oenothera longissima CR/Su

Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)

Common mullein* - Verbascum thapsus CPR/Su

Flax Family (Linaceae)

Lewis flax - Linum lewisii CDPT/Su

Four-O’Clock Family (Nyctaginaceae)

Great Basin sand-verbena - Abronia elliptica CDST/Sp, F

Showy four-o’clock - Mirabilis multiflora CDT/Sp-Su

Gentian Family (Gentianaceae)

Monument plant – Frasera speciosa PR/Sp

Desert green gentian - Frasera albomarginata P/Sp-Su

Geranium Family (Geraniaceae)

Filaree/storksbill* - Erodium cicutarium CS/Sp-F

Goosefoot Family (Chenopodiaceae)

Russian thistle/Tumbleweed* - Salsola tragus CD/Su

Gourd Family (Cucurbitaceae)

Coyote gourd - Cucurbita foetidissima CDT/Su

Lily Family (Liliaceae)

Sego lily - Calochortus nuttallii CDPT/Sp

Spotted fritillary - Fritillaria atropurpurea CDPT/Sp

Lopseed Family (Phrymaceae)

Monkeyflower – Erythranthe species (4) CHR/Sp, F

 Crimson monkeyflower° - Erythranthe verbenacea CHR/Sp, F

Madder Family (Rubiaceae)

Bedstraw - Galium species (6) C/Sp-Su

Madder* - Rubia tinctoria C/Sp-Su

Mallow Family (Malvaceae)

Globemallow - Sphaeralcea species (5) CDPST/Sp

Miner’s Lettuce Family (Montiaceae)

Lanceleaf springbeauty - Claytonia lanceolata H/Sp

Miner’s lettuce - Claytonia perfoliata HR/Sp

Southwestern bitterroot - Lewisia brachycalyx P/Sp

Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)

Rockcress - Arabis species (5) CPT/Sp

Zion draba° - Draba zionensis CPS/Sp

Wallflower - Erysimum asperum CDPT/Sp

Watercress* - Nasturtium officinale HR/Sp

Twinpod - Physaria species (8) PT/Sp

Prince’s plume - Stanleya pinnata CDT/Sp

Heartleaf twistflower - Streptanthus cordatus CDS/Sp

Onion family (Amaryllidaceae)

Hooker’s onion - Allium acuminatum CP/Sp

Orchid Family (Orchidaceae)

Stream Orchid - Epipactis gigantea HR/Sp-Su

Bog Orchid - Platanthera sparsiflora HR/Sp-Su

Paintbrush Family (Orobanchaceae)

Desert paintbrush - Castilleja chromosa CDT/Sp

Wyoming paintbrush – Castilleja linariifolia CDPS/Sp-Su

Rough paintbrush - Castilleja scabrida S/Sp

Pea Family (Fabaceae)

Milkvetch - Astragalus species (20) CDT/Sp

 Stinking milkvetch - Astragalus praelongus CDT/Sp

 Zion milkvetch° - Astragalus zionis CDT/Sp

Prairie clover - Dalea searlsiae D/Sp

Zion sweetpea° - Lathyrus zionis CDT/Sp

Utah deerclover/trefoil - Lotus utahensis CDS/Sp

Elegant lupine - Lupinus concinnus DPT/Sp

Thompson peteria - Peteria thompsonae CDP/Sp-Su

Lean clover - Trifolium macilentum CHP/Sp

Goldenpea - Thermopsis montana P/Sp

American vetch - Vicia americana CT/Sp

Phlox Family (Polemoniaceae)

Grand collomia - Collomia grandiflora CPT/Sp-Su

Gilia - Ipomopsis species (5) CPRT/Sp-Su

 Arizonia ipomopsis - Ipomopsis arizonica CR/Su

Nuttall’s linanthus - Leptosiphon nuttallii CS/Sp

Mountain phlox - Phlox austromontana CS/Sp

Long-leaf phlox - Phlox longifolia P/Sp

Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)

Sandwort - Eremogene species (6) DHPS/Sp-Su

Common chickweed - Stellaria media CDPST/Sp

Poppy Family (Papaveraceae)

Prickly poppy - Argemone munita CPS/Su

Potato Family (Solanaceae)

Sacred datura/Moonflower - Datura wrightii CDT/Sp-F

Silverleaf nightshade - Solanum elaeagnifolium CD/Sp-Su

Primrose Family (Primulaceae)

Zion shootingstar - Primula pauciflora v. zionensis HR/Sp 

Rose Family (Rosaceae)

Rock spiraea - Holodiscus dumosus S/F

Cinquefoil - Potentilla species (3) P/Sp-Su

Saxifrage Family (Saxifragaceae)

Pink alumroot - Heuchera rubescens CHS/Su

Woodland star - Lithophragma tenellum P/Sp

Snapdragon family (Plantaginaceae)

Penstemon/Beardtongue – Penstemon species (16)

 Firecracker penstemon - Penstemon eatonii CDPT/Sp

 Zion penstemon° - Penstemon humilis obtusifolius CDPT/Sp

 Southwesern beardtongue - Penstemon laevis CDSP/Sp

 Toadflax penstemon - Penstemon linarioides CDSP/Sp-Su

 Palmer’s penstemon - Penstemon palmeri CDPT/Sp-Su

 Utah penstemon - Penstemon utahensis CPST/Sp

Spider Flower Family (Cleomaceae)

Yellow beeplant - Peritoma lutea DS/Su-F

Spiderwort Family (Commelinaceae)

Western spiderwort - Tradescantia occidentalis CPT/Sp

Spurge Family (Euphorbiaceae)

Whitemargin spurge – Euphorbia albomarginata CDT/Sp

Ferns & Fern Allies

Ferns (Polypodiales)

Black maidenhair fern - Adiantum capillus HR/N

Western maidenhair fern - Adiantum aleuticum HR/N

Bracken fern - Pteridium aquilinum HR/N

Cliffbrake - Pellaea species (3) CHT/N

Scouring-rush Family (Equisetaceae)

Horsetail - Equisetum species (3) HR/N

 Rough Horsetail - Equisetum hyemale HR/N

Grasses & Grass-like Plants

Grass Family (Poaceae)

Purple three-awn - Aristida purpurea CT/Sp-Su

Cane Bluestem - Bothriochloa barbinodis CT/Su-F

Blue grama - Bouteloua gracilis CT/Su-F

Ripgut brome* - Bromus diandrus CD/Sp

Cheatgrass* - Bromus tectorum CD/Sp

Squirreltail - Elymus elymoides CDP/Sp

Mutton grass - Poa fendleriana CDP/Sp

Needle-and-thread grass - Stipa comata CD/Sp

Indian ricegrass - Stipa hymenoides CDST/Sp

Desert needlegrass - Stipa speciosa DT/Su

Rush Family (Juncaceae)

Rushes - Juncus species (7) HR/Sp-Su

 Swordleaf rush - Juncus xiphioides HR/Sp

Sedge Family (Cyperaceae)

Sedges - Carex species (9) HR/Sp-Su

 Kaibab sedge° - Carex curatorum HR/Sp-Su

 Ovalhead sedge - Carex festivella HR/Sp-Su

 Panicled bulrush - Scirpus microcarpus HR/Sp-Su

Buckwheat Family (Polygonaceae)

Wild buckwheat - Eriogonum species (20) DPST/Su-F

 Sulfur buckwheat - Eriogonum umbellatum CDPS/Su

 Desert trumpet - Eriogonum inflatum D/Sp-F

Knotweed - Polygonum species (5) DPRT/Sp

Canaigre/Wild rhubarb - Rumex hymenosepalus CD/Sp

Bunchflower Family (Melanthiaceae)

Foothill Death-camas - Toxicoscordion paniculatum DP/Sp

Buttercup Family (Ranunculaceae)

Golden columbine - Aquilegia chrysantha CHR/Sp-Su

Larkspur - Delphinium species (3) CDPS/Sp

Buttercup - Ranunculus species (5) S/Sp

Blue clematis - Clematis columbiana CR/Sp

Western virgin’s-bower - Clematis liguisticifolia CR/Su

Meadow-rue - Thalictrum fendleri CRH/Sp-Su

Caltrop Family (Zygophyllaceae)

Puncturevine* - Tribulus terrestris DT/Su

Composite Family (Asteraceae)

Yarrow - Achillea millefolium CP/Su

Mountain dandelion - Agoseris species (3) P/Sp

Desert marigold - Baileya multiradiata DT/Sp-F

Arrowleaf balsamroot - Balsamorhiza sagittata P/Sp

Dusty-maiden - Chaenactis douglasii CDP/Sp

Arizona thistle - Cirsium arizonicum CDT/Sp-Su

Fleabane - Erigeron species (9) All/Sp-Su

 Spreading daisy - Erigeron divergens CDPRT/Sp

 Zion daisy° - Erigeron sionis H/Sp-Su

Hopi blanketflower - Gaillardia pinnatifida DT/Sp-Su 

Curlycup gumweed - Grindelia squarrosa CDS/Su

Common sunflower - Helianthus annuus CDST/Su

Hairy goldenaster - Heterotheca villosa DPT/Su-F 

Tansy-aster - Machaeranthera species (3) CD/Su-F

Basin groundsel - Packera multilobata DT/Sp 

Broom groundsel - Senecio spartioides CD/F 

Goldenrod - Solidago species (3) CD/Su-F

Wire lettuce - Stephanomeria tenuifolia All/Sp 

Yellow salsify* - Tragopogon dubius CDP/Sp-Su

Showy goldeneye - Viguiera multiflora RT/Sp-Su