Redwood National Park is renowned for its iconic redwood trees, the tallest trees in the world. However, the park is also home to a diverse range of plant species, each with its unique adaptations to the park’s varied habitats. From the wind-pruned, salt-tolerant Sitka spruce by the seaside to the cool, moist redwood groves and the sunny, open grasslands of the prairies, the park’s plant life is a true wonder to behold.
Redwood National Park’s Diverse Plant Communities
The Redwood National Park Vegetation Inventory Project provides a comprehensive database of the park’s plant communities. This project highlights the incredible diversity of plant life found within the park’s boundaries, from the towering redwoods to the delicate wildflowers that bloom beneath their canopy.
Wildflowers of the Redwood Forests
One of the best times to experience the beauty of Redwood National Park is during wildflower season. The park’s redwood forests are home to a stunning array of wildflowers, including Trillium, Rhododendron, Douglas Iris, Lupine, Leopard Lily, Sticky monkey flower, Alpine Lily, Snowflower, Spotted Coralroot, Wood Strawberry, Stream violet, and Mariposa Lily. These flowers bloom at different times throughout the year, adding to the park’s ever-changing beauty.
Non-Native and Invasive Plants in Redwood National Park
While the park is home to a wealth of native plant species, it also faces the challenge of non-native and invasive plants. The Redwood National Park plant list includes 1095 plants, some of which are non-native and can outcompete native species for resources. Examples of these invasive plants include Silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) and Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii).
Exploring Redwood National Park’s Plant Life
Visitors to Redwood National Park can use the Wild Plants of Redwood Regional Park Common Name Version, a photographic guide that provides detailed information on the park’s wild plants. This guide includes the common name, scientific name, origin and longevity, family name, bloom date range, habitat, and identification characteristics of each plant.
Preserving the Redwood National Park Plant Diversity
Redwood National Park’s plant diversity is a testament to the park’s ecological richness and the importance of preserving these unique ecosystems. By understanding and appreciating the park’s diverse plant communities, visitors can play a role in ensuring that these precious resources are protected for generations to come.
References:
– Vegetation Inventory and Map for Redwood National Park. National Park Service. https://www.nps.gov/im/vmi-redw.htm
– Wildflowers of the redwood forests. Save the Redwoods League. https://www.savetheredwoods.org/blog/wildflowers-of-the-redwood-forests/
– Redwood National Park plant list from NPS IRM Illustrated … – Calflora. https://www.calflora.org/app/ipl?bloom=t&vrid=svy1453
– Wild Plants of Redwood Regional Park Common Name Version. East Bay Regional Park District. https://www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/ebrpd_redwood_plants.pdf
– Redwood National Park – Plants and Wildlife in Redwood. Fodor’s Travel. https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/california/redwood-national-park/experiences/plants-and-wildlife-in-redwood-127655350