Plants and animals thrive in the Grand Canyon. Although one of the most abundant types of plant in the Grand Canyon was introduced, the area along the Colorado River in Arizona hosts many species of native plants that are adapted to living in such a dry environment. Shrubs, small brushy trees, grasses, and several types of cactus line the shores of the Colorado River, and grow along the rocks of the steep slopes of the Grand Canyon. Following are some common brushes, trees, and cacti that may be found in the grand canyon.
Trees in the Grand Canyon near the Colorado River
Although large trees are absent from the lower altitudes of the Grand Canyon (near the river), there are a few species of smaller trees that may be seen growing on the sandy beaches and shores. The most common of these trees is the tamarix (or tamarisk, as it is pronounced) which is actually a plant that was introduced to the area, as it is native to the arid parts of Eurasia and Africa. This small tree, also known as the salt cedar, has been so successful in the canyon, that it has infringed on the ability of other plants to survive. Presently, the National Park Service is finding a way to remove, or at least reduce the numbers of these trees, which may have to be done by the introduction of a particular beetle, which prefers to eat tamarisks. Small willows also line the beaches of the Colorado river, although they are usually less common. Mesquite trees, which are short and thorny, as well as small acacias are found in groves along the river as well.
Trees Found Higher up in the Grand Canyon
In higher elevations, around the rim of the canyon, ponderosa pines grow. These are the large pine trees that grow tall, and are very rare except along, and just below the rim. Pinyon pine trees, which are smaller, and juniper trees grow in the higher elevations as well, although there are forests of these juest below the rim of the canyon. These larger trees attract animals that are more adapted to forest habitats, rather than those which prefer the desert and arid, dry areas in lower elevations. None of these trees are found along the Colorado River, or along the rocky outcrops that are higher in the canyon, but they only appear above the desert scrub, which consists of brush-like plants, small trees, and cacti.
Cactus Plants in the Desert of the Grand Canyon
Although there are numerous species of cacti in the Grand Canyon, there are a few types that are very common. Prickly pears are perhaps the worst ones to get tangled up in, as they have large thorns of about three inches in length, and fine thorns all over their red fruit. These look like a community of green, vertical disks, which are covered in thorns, and, when flowering, sport red fruits on top. A certain kind of insect builds cocoons on prickly pears, which contain red dye, which is used in clothing.
Utah Agaves, also known as century plants (named because they were thought to bloom once every hundred years, though there are usually twenty or thirty year intervals between blooms) thrive in the canyon, and when they bloom, a flowered stalk shoots up from their leaves. These plants were considered a delicacy by the ancient Puebloans and Navajo, and they are very closely related to the blue agave, from which tequila is made. Utah agaves look very similar to the banana yucca plants, which are also found in the canyon. California barrel cactus, beavertail cactus, and hedgehog cacti are also found in the Grand Canyon.
There are numerous other grasses and flowers that are found in the Grand Canyon, but these are some of the more notable ones.
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