Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Plants

Plant life in the Reserve

Plants in the Reserve are adapted to deal with shallow soil and scant water. Slow-growing desert scrub vegetation and fragile ephemeral species take advantage of winter and late summer rain. Sage, blackbrush, creosote, and scrub live oak, survive the hot, dry desert conditions using strategies such as light reflective coloration, small leaves, waxy leaf coverings, and the ability to drop their leaves and survive in a dormant state during extreme drought. Cacti store moisture in their fleshy pads. Annual grasses and plants quickly flourish after seasonal rains, flower, then leave their seeds to wait for the next rain.

Common Species Checklists

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, including Snow Canyon State Park

Plants (trees, shrubs, wildflowers, cacti, yucca)