© Mike Norton (Colorado)
Featured Plants in Colorado
© Michael Menefee/CNHP Featured Plants Featured Image
There are over five hundred rare and imperiled plant species in Colorado. In some cases, these species are naturally rare, usually because they are adapted to habitats that are rare and geographically restricted. Other species were once more common, but have declined in abundance, geographic range, or both. There are a number of species that are endemic to Colorado, and do not occur in any other place. Some of these species, especially in higher elevations, are relicts from earlier geologic periods when climatic conditions and habitats were different. Some of the highest priority rare plants are featured below. Visit CNHP's website at http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/ for additional information.