The Mojave Desert is rich with cacti and succulent species, yet in Death Valley National Park they are scarce due to the extremes of heat, dryness and soil salinity. Even so, cactus grow from an elevation of 400 feet above sea level to the summits of the surrounding mountains.

The cactus species most commonly seen are cottontop barrel, silver cholla, and beavertail cactus. Engelmann hedgehog cactus are locally abundant above 3000 feet elevation. Grizzly bear pricklypear is the most common species in the pinyon-juniper woodlands.

Joshua trees--the indicator species of the Mojave Desert--are found in only a few locations here. The Lee Flat area contains the finest stand in the park.

In contrast to other succulent species, pickleweed is very salt-tolerant and can be found in marshy areas below sea level.

Barrel Cactus

• California Barrel Cactus
  Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei
• Cottontop Barrel Cactus
  Echinocactus polycephalus
• Mojave Pineapple Cactus
  Sclerocactus johnsonii
• Mojave Fishhook Cactus
  Sclerocactus polyancistrus

Hedgehog Cactus

• Engelmann Hedgehog Cactus
  Echinocereus engelmannii
• Mojave Mound Cactus
  Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. mojavensis

Pincushion Cactus

• Desert Spinystar
  Escobaria vivipara var. deserti
• Corkseed Fishhook Cactus
  Mammillaria tetrancistra

Pricklypear Cactus

• Beavertail Cactus
  Opuntia basilaris
• Old Man Pricklypear
  Opuntia erinacea var. erinacea
• Grizzly Bear Pricklypear
  Opuntia erinacea var. ursina
• Mojave Pricklypear
  Opuntia mojavensis
• Brown-spined Pricklypear
  Opuntia phaeacantha var. major
• Plains Pricklypear
  Opuntia polycantha var. rufispina

Cholla Cactus

• Silver Cholla
  Opuntia echinocarpa
• Pencil Cholla
  Opuntia ramosissima

Yuccas

• Joshua Tree
  Yucca brevifolia
• Mojave Yucca
  Yucca schidigera

Other Succulents

• Pickleweed
  Allenrolfea occidentalis
• Dead Man’s Fingers (annual)
  Calandrinia ambigua
• Western Spring Beauty
  Claytonia lanceolata
• Panamint Live-forever
  Dudleya saxosa ssp. saxosa
• Bitterroot
  Lewisia rediviva
• Inkweed
  Suaeda moquinii