![National Park Service Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/parkblackband.gif) |
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![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
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Grand Canyon National Park
Cacti / Desert Succulents
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/templates/images/graphics/spacer.gif) |
![PRICKLY PEAR ON LEDGE PRICKLY PEAR ON LEDGE](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/images/ppear.jpg) |
Prickly Pear on Ledge, NPS Photo |
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Cacti are flowering plants with green, fleshy stems which have a waxy coat to retain water. They have spines, as opposed to leaves, and some have glochids, which are tiny barbed bristles. Grand Canyon cacti most commonly have flowers of red, purple or yellow. The majority grow in the inner canyon, although several species are found on the rim. Some of the common catus species found in the park are the California barrel, fishhook, beavertail, desert prickly pear, claretcup hedgehog, Englemann hedgehog, and whipple cholla. For a complete list of plant species found in Grand Canyon National Park, please see the Grand Canyon Plant List.
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![mountain lion kitten mountain lion kitten](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRCA_ml_Kit.jpg) Mountain Lion Kittens See and hear them in their den. more... | | ![Trails and Use Areas Trails and Use Areas](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRCA_boot.gif) Trails & Use Areas trail descriptions more... | | ![Teacher resources Teacher resources](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRCA_apple1.jpg) Grand Canyon resources for teachers Links to "For Teachers" page more... | |
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![COLORADO RIVER AT THE BOTTOM OF GRAND CANYON COLORADO RIVER AT THE BOTTOM OF GRAND CANYON](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090507135602im_/http://www.nps.gov/imr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/GRCA_yavover.gif) |
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Did You Know?
From Yavapai Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the drop to the Colorado River below is 4,600 feet (1,400 m). The elevation at river level is 2,450 feet (750 m) above sea level. Without the Colorado River, a perennial river in a desert environment, the Grand Canyon would not exist.
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Last Updated: August 08, 2008 at 13:25 EST |