Plants

prickly pear buds and blooms of various colors
Visit Saguaro National Park in the spring and summer to see the colors of the desert

NPS photo / T. Wiewel

Secrets of the Sonoran Desert

Saguaro National Park is located within a desert, but, contrary to what you might expect, there is an abundance of life. Plants here are adapted to drought; during long, dry periods, they are able to go dormant in order to conserve their water. At these times, many plants appear lifeless. However, shortly after a rainfall these plants are able to come to life sprouting new green leaves. If you like green, you will especially enjoy Saguaro National Park during the rainy seasons. Within just 48 hours after a rainfall, the ocotillo plant is able to change from what appeared to be a handful of dead sticks into a cheerful shrub with tall green branches, covered in new leaves.

The varied elevation within the park allows for a great variety of different species. The Madrean Sky Islands, which the Rincon Mountains are a part of, is one of the most biodiverse places in the country with more than 7,000 species of plants and animals. An exact number of plants is difficult to determine given the complexity of the topography. Changes in taxonomy also make it hard to uniformly sample the plants, and there are a number of voucher specimens housed in unknown locations.

Threats

Currently, there are no USFWS Threatened or Endangered plants within the park. The park does have rare and sensitive plant species. The park estimates there are approximately 80 non-native plant species some of which are quite invasive. The Restoration and Invasive Plant Management Program, with help from volunteers, maps and removes non-native invasive species from both districts of the park.



Check out a list of common plants seen at Saguaro National Park.

 
grazing history and plant succession
Grazing History and Plant Succession

Learn the effects of grazing around the park.

Information on Cacti and Desert Succulents
Cacti and Desert Succulents

Learn about the various different types of cacti and desert succulents native to Saguaro National Park.

Trees and shrubs in Saguaro National Park
Trees and Shrubs

Saguaro National Park is home to a vast number of tree and shrub species.

algae, fungi and bacteria
Algae, Fungi and Bacteria

Discover other life forms within the park!

beargrass
Grasses

Explore the grasses of Saguaro National Park.

Non-native Invasive Plants
Invasive Plants

Information regarding invasive plants in the Park.

mexican gold poppies in the west district
Wildflowers

Check out the beautiful blooms of the Sonoran Desert!

Last updated: March 23, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

3693 S Old Spanish Trail
Tucson, AZ 85730

Phone:

520 733-5153
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