Science
Vascular Plants of Red Rock State Park
Download 20-page document that contains Genus & Species, Variety, and Common Names of the Vascular Plants of Red Rock. Download Vascular Plant Information (
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Ecology Overview
Red Rock State Park is located in a geologically unique area of north central Arizona near Sedona. The park encompasses between one and two river miles of perennial Oak Creek, giving the park a diversity of both riparian and upland plant and animal species. The park is also included in the Lower Oak Creek Important Bird Area, and is home to rare and unique avian species like the Common Black Hawk, Wood Duck, and Common Merganser. [For more information visit: This link ]
Botanically, the area is home to Fremont Cottonwood (Populous fremontii), Sycamore (Plantanus wrightii), Velvet Ash (Fraxinus velutina), and Arizona Alder (Alnus oblongifolia) in the riparian areas. The uplands host Velvet Mesquite (Prosopis velutina), Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulate), Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma and deppeana) and a variety of smaller bushes and wildflowers.
The presence of Oak Creek means the park is habitat for several species of frogs and rare native fish. It is also home to the Sonoran Mud Turtle, identified by the U.S. Forest Service in Region 3 as a Sensitive Species. Many different snakes, lizards, and small mammals can also be found in Red Rock State Park. Larger mammals such as Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), Coyote (Canis latrans), Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus), Javelina (Pecari angulatus), and Otter (Lontra canadensis) also make their home here.
Like many areas of Arizona, Red Rock State Park is also home to non-native plants and animals. These non-native species arrive in a variety of ways; some accidentally introduced and some purposefully brought in by humans. Non-native plants in the park include Giant Reed (Arundo donax), Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), and Tumbleweed (Salsola iberica). There are also non-native fish found in the park.
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