Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Plants

Plants

Many plants are found throughout Capitol Reef, both common and exotic.

Rare and Protected

Capitol Reef is home to many plants. Here are just a few of the rare and protected plants found in the park.

 
Wright's fishhook cactus
Sclerocactus wrightiae
(Cactus Family)
Wright's fishhook cactus is listed as a federally endangered species.  It occurs primarily in the Morrison Formation and Entrada Sandstone in Emery and Wayne counties, Utah.  Capitol Reef National Park contains about one-third of known Wright's fishhook cacti.
 
Rabbit Valley gilia
Gilia caespitosa 
(Phlox Family)
Rabbit Valley gilia is currently a candidate for federal listing.  A Conservation Agreement between the National Park Service and other federal agencies who share responsibility for this species was signed in 1997.  It states that each agency will conduct the necessary surveys and monitoring, and ensure adequate protection for Rabbit Valley gilia so that it will not need to be listed.  This Expedition into the Parks grant is enabling Capitol Reef to meet its goals of surveying and establishing monitoring plots in a timely manner.  Rabbit Valley gilia is restricted to the Navajo Sandstone, growing in cracks in sheer sandstone cliffs or talus slopes composed of Navajo sand and boulders.  About one-quarter of known Rabbit Valley gilia occur in Capitol Reef National Park.
 
Maguire's daisy
Erigeron maguirei
(Sunflower Family)
Maguire's daisy is listed as a federally threatened species.  It grows only on Navajo Sandstone.  About half of all known Maguire's daisies are in Capitol Reef National Park.
 
Harrison's milkvetch
Astragalus harrisonii 
(Pea Family)
Harrison's milkvetch is a National Park Service Sensitive Species which was considered for listing as a federally endangered species in 1976.  Since the only known populations occur within Capitol Reef National Park and are thought to be adequately protected through NPS policy, listing of Harrison's milkvetch was not pursued.  It occurs in the Navajo Sandstone in only a few locations within Capitol Reef National Park.
 
Pinnate spring-parsley
Cymopterus beckii 
(Carrot Family)
Pinnate spring-parsley is a National Park Service Sensitive Species which occurs in only two locations; one in Capitol Reef National Park and one in the Manti-LaSal National Forest, in southeastern Utah.  Pinnate spring-parsley is a Pleistocene relic which occurs in four geologic layers; Cutler Formation, Wingate Sandstone, Kayenta Formation, and Navajo Sandstone.
 
Barneby reed-mustard
Schoencrombe barnebyi

(Mustard Family) 


Barneby reed-mustard is listed as a federally endangered species.  Capitol Reef National Park contains the largest known population of this species.  It is a Pleistocene relict which occurs only in two geologic formations; Moenkopi and Kaibab Limestone.