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Mesa Verde National Park Field of wildflowers
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Mesa Verde National Park
Plant Walks

Suggested Plant Walks

Listed below are the best locations to view and understand the plant life in Mesa Verde National Park. Wayside exhibits and trail guides will assist you in identifying the park vegetation.

  • In the Headquarters Area, between the Museum and Chief Ranger's Office, small signs discuss the plants common to Mesa Verde.
  • Knife Edge Trail (2 miles) is accessible from Morefield Campground. Take along the trail guide to learn about park plants as well as other park topics.
  • Petroglyph Point Trail (2.4 miles) is located near the museum and Spruce Tree House. Take along the trail guide to learn about park plants as well as other park topics.
  • Spruce Tree House Trail (0.5 miles) is located near the museum. Take along the trail guide to learn about park plants as well as other park topics.
 

What's That Plant?

Mesa Verde is in the Upper Sonoran Life Zone. This zone is characterized by semi-arid climate, moderately high altitude, and pinyon-juniper forests. The plants listed below are typical of this region.

Common Trees and Shrubs Common Flowers
Big sagebrush, Artemesia tridentata Aster, Aster bigelovii
Cliff fendlerbush, Fendlera rupicola Evening primrose, Oenothera caespitosa
Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii Globemallow, Sphaeralcea coccinea
Gambel oak, Quercus gambelii Indian paintbrush, Castilleja linariaefolia
Mormon tea, Ephedra viridis Larkspur, Delphinium nelsonii
Mountain mahogany, Cerocarpus montanus Lupine, Lupinus ammophilus
Pinyon pine, Pinus edulis Lupine, Lupinus caudatus
Rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus Mariposa lily, Calochortus nuttallii
Skunkbush sumac, Rhus trilobata Pricklypear cactus, Opuntia polycantha
Snowberry, Symphoricarpos oreophilus Scarlet gilia, Gilia aggregata
Utah juniper, Juniperus utahensis Scarlet penstemon, Penstemon bridgesii
Utah serviceberry, Amelanchier utahens Penstemon, Penstemon eatonii
Yucca, Yucca baccata   

 

For more information on plant life in Mesa Verde National Park, go to Nature & Science.

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Mesa top pueblo at Far View Sites Complex

Did You Know?
Approximately 600 of the over 4700 archeological sites found in Mesa Verde National Park are cliff dwellings. Other sites include mesa top pueblos, farming terraces, towers, reservoirs, and check dams.
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Last Updated: August 31, 2010 at 16:31 MST