Plants at the
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Plants & Where to Look For Them

Creasote Bush....Chupadera and Canyon Trails
Soapweed Yucca....Along Hwy #1 south of the Visitor Center
Honey Mesquite....Chupaders and Canyon Trails
Mormon Tea....Chupadera and Canyon Trails
Juniper....Chupadera and Canyon Trails
Prickly Pear....Chupadera and Canyon Trails
Snakeweed....Chupaders and Canyon Trails
Smartweed....Moist soil areas, Marsh Loop
Cattail....Moist soil areas, Marsh Loop
Desert Willow....Arroyos, on the Chupadera and Canyon Trails - also near the Visitor Center
Four-winged Saltbush....On Canyon and Chupadera Trails
Little leaved Sumac....Arroyos on Chupadera and Canyon trails
Cottonwood (several varieties)....Rio Viejo and River Trails
(See note below about Cottonwood Rehabilitation)
Phragmites....Marsh Loop
Screwbean Mesquite....Farm Loop, West side, near Tour Sign #14
Seep Willow....Marsh Loop, near signs # 9 and #10
Tamarisk (Salt Cedar)....Along Hwy #1, between the Visitor Center and the
entrance to the Loop Roads
Apache Plume....Canyon Trail
Sand Sage....Canyon Trail
False Sage....Canyon Trail
Giant Dropseed....Canyon Trail
Fluff Grass....Canyon Trail
Black Grama....Canyon Trail
Sideoats Grama....Farm Loop, south of the Farm Deck
Black Willow....On the east-west two-way road, between the
Eagle Scout Deck and the east end of the road
Coyote Willow....Marsh Loop, south of the Marsh Deck
Wolfberry....On the Rio Viejo Trail
Saltgrass....Marsh Loop, just north of the Marsh Deck
Alkali Sacaton....Farm Loop, South of the Farm Deck
Duck Potato....North of the Flight Deck, near the turn-around
Wild Millet....In moist soil areas. Varies year to year
Hardstem Bulrush....South of the east-west two-way road
3-square Bulrush....South of the east-west two-way road

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Cottonwood Rehabilitation:
Many cottonwood and willow bosques which once lined th Rio Grande have been lost due
to human activities. Salt cedar has taken over vast areas of the Refuge. In order to
restore native trees, which have higher value for wildlife, salt cedar is being cleared
and many areas are being planted (rehabilitated) with cottonwood and other native plants

Farming
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cooperatws with area farmers to grow crops such as
corn and alfalfa for wintering waterfowl and cranes. Additional food, including native plants
such as chufa, millet, Smartweed and bulrush are also grown on the Refuge.

Water
Marsh and water management are important to the wildlife. Drawing down water levels in
marshes creates moist fields and promotes the growth of native plants, Marsh management is
rotated so that varying wetland habitats are always available.
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Wildflowers

Desert MarigoldvVisitor Center
Spectacle Pod....Visitor Center
Primrose....Visitor Center
Twistflower....Chupadera and Canyon Trails
Bladder Pod....Chupadera and Canyon Trails
Annual Gallardia....Along Hwy #1 south of the Visitor Center
Claret Cup Cactus....Arboretum and on Chupadera Trail
Ocotillo....Arboretum
Chihuahua Barrel....Chupadera Trail
Cholla....Arboretum
Annual Sunflowers....Loop Roads and Seasonal Road
(Wildflowers are rainfall dependent. Check at the Visitor Center
for the best viewing opportunities)