NPS / Beth Hudick Blooming Through the Seasons: Plant Diversity at PinnaclesDespite its dry climate, Pinnacles National Park offers year-round opportunities to see something in bloom. The park is notable for its diverse plant communities, which range from arid sandy washes to deep, shaded canyons with permanent water sources. This variation creates a land of contrasts, where extreme conditions meet, resulting in a rich mosaic of habitats. The intense seasonal changes further contribute to the park’s diverse landscape, placing different habitats in close proximity and allowing visitors to experience a wide variety of plant life within a small area. To explore the full range of vegetation at Pinnacles, download the comprehensive Pinnacles Vascular Plant List. 
Plant Communities
Explore the habitats that make Pinnacles unique. 
Digital Herbarium
Visit our natural history collection, maintained to document the park's biodiversity and to support park's resource management program. 
Vegetation Mapping
Researchers have created a vegetation map that shows how different plant communities are distributed throughout the park. 
Trees and Shrubs
Pinnacles hosts varieties of oak, pine, buckeye, manzanita, and more. 
Invasive Plants
Some plants at Pinnacles present a threat to the biodiversity of the park. Learn more about how park biologists manage invasive plants. 
Ferns
Discover the fern species that thrive in the niches of Pinnacles ecosystems. 
Wildflowers
Learn about what's blossoming at Pinnacles and how to identify colorful flowers you might see during your visit. 
Lichens
Many of PInnacles' rock surfaces appear to be painted in shades of red, orange, yellow, green, and brown from lichen growth. |
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Last updated: October 18, 2024