Just as rare as Sedona’s Beauty is the unusual diversity of plant and wildlife in this area. Due to a tremendous change in altitude (2,000 feet!), there are about eight plant communities from the top rim to the mouth of the canyon: Ponderosa Pine-fir Forests (part of the largest in the world!), Chaparral, Piñon-Juniper Woodland, Evergreen Oak Woodland, Arizona Cypress Woodland, Upper Riparian, Lower Riparian and Desert-Grassland. Many times these communities overlap and form new ones called “ecozones.”

These varied communities, along with the dependable water supply from Oak Creek and West Fork, house over 300 species of vertebrate animals and over 55 types of mammals. In the remote areas, you may encounter black bear, mountain lions and bobcats. Within the city limits, it’s not unusual to see a coyote or even a javelina parade across the street! With 80 types of fish, amphibians and reptiles you might meet up with harmless lizards known to scoot across the sidewalks in search of shade under a desert plant. The Sedona area boasts over 550 species of seed plants like the prickly pear cactus. It blooms with gorgeous colored flowers. Also a useful plant (like most desert plants), the prickly pear bears a scrumptious fruit that residents turn into jellies and sauces. The agave or century plant sprouts a 12-foot asparagus-looking stem in just 7 days at the end of 25 years! The ancient Indians roasted this plant in pits. They ate it like we do artichokes and used the other leaves to make needles, thread, baskets, shoes, eating utensils, and more!


Appearing at first glance to be barren, the desert and surrounding Sedona plant communities are actually bursting with beauty, fascinating wildlife and are alive with plants offering hundreds of uses (from shampoos to food) for man’s survival and comfort.


If you’d like to explore Sedona’s various canyons and wildlife, check with the forest service for further information