Native plants for San Juan County, New Mexico
1,016 native plants recorded in San Juan County, New Mexico
The USDA plant database has 1,610 plants recorded growing wild in San Juan County. 1,016 of them are native to the lower 48, and 128 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 584 wildflowers and herbs, 100 grasses and sedges, 106 shrubs, 152 low woody plants, 49 trees, 25 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 279 of them (27%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Annual ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), Claspleaf twistedstalk (Streptopus amplexifolius) and 20 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in San Juan County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 278 | 0 | 738 |
| Half shade | 243 | 35 | 738 |
| Under trees | 160 | 118 | 738 |
| Heavy clay | 164 | 115 | 737 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 200 | 79 | 737 |
| Never watered | 161 | 118 | 737 |
| Stays soggy | 107 | 170 | 739 |
Sun all day in San Juan County: 278 rated natives
109 wildflowers and herbs, 58 grasses and sedges, 39 shrubs, 39 trees, 28 low woody plants, 5 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American speedwell (Veronica americana) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in San Juan County: 243 rated natives
89 wildflowers and herbs, 54 grasses and sedges, 37 shrubs, 36 trees, 23 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance
Under trees in San Juan County: 160 rated natives
51 wildflowers and herbs, 42 grasses and sedges, 29 shrubs, 23 trees, 13 low woody plants, 2 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Fiddleleaf hawksbeard (Crepis runcinata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Gray aster (Eurybia glauca) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Hairy false goldenaster (Heterotheca villosa) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Heavy clay in San Juan County: 164 rated natives
71 wildflowers and herbs, 38 grasses and sedges, 19 shrubs, 17 trees, 15 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Idaho blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium idahoense) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.7 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Largeleaf avens (Geum macrophyllum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Longstalk starwort (Stellaria longipes) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Mountain pepperweed (Lepidium montanum) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in San Juan County: 200 rated natives
66 wildflowers and herbs, 42 grasses and sedges, 35 shrubs, 34 trees, 19 low woody plants, 4 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Douglas' dustymaiden (Chaenactis douglasii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Drummond's rockcress (Arabis drummondii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Gooseberryleaf globemallow (Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Never watered in San Juan County: 161 rated natives
41 wildflowers and herbs, 37 shrubs, 29 grasses and sedges, 28 trees, 23 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Colorado four o'clock (Mirabilis multiflora) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) low woody plants
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Oneflower helianthella (Helianthella uniflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance
Stays soggy in San Juan County: 107 rated natives
54 wildflowers and herbs, 33 grasses and sedges, 15 trees, 3 low woody plants, 1 vines, 1 shrubs. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Arctic pearlwort (Sagina saginoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria cuneata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.6 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Chamisso arnica (Arnica chamissonis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Cursed buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Marsh grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Sea milkwort (Glaux maritima) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives San Juan County has that most of New Mexico does not
126 natives here are on file in no more than 2 of New Mexico's 33 counties. A few of them:
- Greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula): only here
- Little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula): only here
- Smooth beggartick (Bidens laevis): only here
- Pennsylvania bittercress (Cardamine pensylvanica): only here
- Northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa): only here
- Yellow spiderflower (Cleome lutea): only here
- Strawcolored flatsedge (Cyperus strigosus): only here
- Eaton's fleabane (Erigeron eatonii): only here
- Sea milkwort (Glaux maritima): only here
- Spiny hopsage (Grayia spinosa): only here
Where to start in San Juan County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where San Juan County gives you the most rated choice (278 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 107 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 739 unrated natives too.