Cactus

Hedgehog cactus

Cactus have spines instead of leaves and have green, fleshy stems which both conserve water and carry out food production. They are are highly evolved to handle the desert environment, but many species have little tolerance for cold. In the canyon, that limits cactus to the smaller species like desert prickly pear, which is common on the Tonto Platform. Other cactus include California barrel, whipple cholla, beavertail, claret cup, fishhook, and Englemann hedgehog. Claret cup blooms with a stunning red flower after wet winters.

Grasses

Side oats, blue and black gramma, Indian ricegrass, and big galleta are among the native grasses found in the canyon. Exotics, or introduced grasses, include Kentucky bluegrass, red and smooth brome, and cheatgrass. Exotics often compete with native grasses. Cheatgrass is especially difficult because it greatly increases the fire danger once it cures during the summer.

Ferns

Ferns favor moist sites such as crevices, ledges, and boulder piles. Maidenhair and brittle fern prefer springs and seeps. All ferns reproduce from spores rather than flowers.