With so many animals in the park, plant life is also surprisingly abundant, especially closer to the Colorado River’s edge. There are approximately 12 species of endemic plants that only grow in the park and over 1700 different varieties of vascular plants, over 160 fungi and over 190 lichen varieties that flourish at the Grand Canyon.
Many botanists come to discover the ecosystem involving the plants – with scientists studying the vegetation of the Canyon. The plants are influenced by many factors, including climate, geology of the area and the animals that feed on some of the plants. The vast differences of plants at different locations within the park are based on water resource, elevation and the climate surrounding the area.
Cactus plants, wildflowers, trees, grasses, shrubs, fungi and lichen are all found at varying levels within the canyon – most of them are found closer to the River’s edge. The higher the elevation, the more desert-like the plants become on the plateaus and above 6,500 feet, you will find wooded areas of Pine, oak mahogany and more.
The beauty of the Canyon’s vegetation is often breathtaking, from the sparse desert type of plants to lush flora near the water’s edge and all the way to the higher elevation wooded areas.
Credit : Visitor Center
Picture Credit : Google
