Native plants for Washoe County, Nevada
1,362 native plants recorded in Washoe County, Nevada
The USDA plant database has 2,298 plants recorded growing wild in Washoe County. 1,362 of them are native to the lower 48, and 210 are introduced species that this page leaves out.
By type: 866 wildflowers and herbs, 205 grasses and sedges, 98 shrubs, 135 low woody plants, 45 trees, 13 vines. USDA has rated sun, soil and water needs for 396 of them (29%), and only those can be matched to a spot below. Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis), Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and 16 more are also recorded as introduced.
What fits each kind of spot in Washoe County
| Spot | Rated to fit | Rated not to | Unrated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun all day | 395 | 0 | 967 |
| Half shade | 319 | 76 | 967 |
| Under trees | 190 | 205 | 967 |
| Heavy clay | 220 | 176 | 966 |
| Sandy, drains fast | 264 | 132 | 966 |
| Never watered | 194 | 202 | 966 |
| Stays soggy | 173 | 223 | 966 |
Sun all day in Washoe County: 395 rated natives
174 wildflowers and herbs, 91 grasses and sedges, 52 shrubs, 38 low woody plants, 36 trees, 4 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 bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 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 - Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 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 - Ballhead waterleaf (Hydrophyllum capitatum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial
Half shade in Washoe County: 319 rated natives
130 wildflowers and herbs, 78 grasses and sedges, 43 shrubs, 34 low woody plants, 31 trees, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - 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 - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high shade tolerance - Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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
Under trees in Washoe County: 190 rated natives
75 wildflowers and herbs, 45 grasses and sedges, 29 shrubs, 23 low woody plants, 17 trees, 1 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate 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 - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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
Heavy clay in Washoe County: 220 rated natives
99 wildflowers and herbs, 66 grasses and sedges, 22 shrubs, 16 trees, 14 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · rapid growth · perennial - Hooker's balsamroot (Balsamorhiza hookeri) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Largeflower hawksbeard (Crepis occidentalis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.9 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial
Sandy, drains fast in Washoe County: 264 rated natives
97 wildflowers and herbs, 57 grasses and sedges, 47 shrubs, 32 trees, 28 low woody plants, 3 vines. The first 8, ranked by how easy a start they make:
- American bistort (Polygonum bistortoides) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - American vetch (Vicia americana) vines
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.3 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Bigflower agoseris (Agoseris grandiflora) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 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 - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial - Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate 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
Never watered in Washoe County: 194 rated natives
64 wildflowers and herbs, 41 shrubs, 36 grasses and sedges, 28 low woody plants, 23 trees, 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 · high drought tolerance - Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Cutleaf daisy (Erigeron compositus) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · high drought tolerance - Desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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 - Gooseberry currant (Ribes montigenum) shrubs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1 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
Stays soggy in Washoe County: 173 rated natives
89 wildflowers and herbs, 60 grasses and sedges, 10 trees, 8 shrubs, 5 low woody plants, 1 vines. 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 - Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 0.8 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - California damsonium (Damasonium californicum) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 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 - Fringed grass of Parnassus (Parnassia fimbriata) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.2 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil - Heartleaf bittercress (Cardamine cordifolia) wildflowers and herbs
USDA growing data on file · conspicuous flowers · photo available · about 1.5 ft mature · moderate growth · perennial · takes saturated soil
Natives Washoe County has that most of Nevada does not
139 natives here are on file in no more than 1 of Nevada's 17 counties. A few of them:
- Blunt spikerush (Eleocharis obtusa): only here
- Greenleaf fescue (Festuca viridula): only here
- Small floating mannagrass (Glyceria borealis): only here
- Scouler's woollyweed (Hieracium scouleri): only here
- Singlewhorl burrobrush (Hymenoclea monogyra): only here
- Chestnut rush (Juncus castaneus): only here
- Canby's biscuitroot (Lomatium canbyi): only here
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): only here
- Purple mountainheath (Phyllodoce breweri): only here
- Swamp smartweed (Polygonum hydropiperoides): only here
Where to start in Washoe County
If you have only one spot to fill, sun all day is where Washoe County gives you the most rated choice (395 plants), and Alkali buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is the easiest start on that list. Stays soggy is the hard one here: 173 rated plants, so for that spot it is worth asking a local native-plant society about the 966 unrated natives too.