Here are some of the most common plants found at Yosemite National Park:
Trees
* Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum): These massive trees are only found in a few scattered groves in the Sierra Nevada mountains, including the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite. Giant sequoias can grow up to 300 feet tall and 30 feet in diameter, and they are some of the oldest living things on Earth.
* Sierra redwood (Sequoia sempervirens): Sierra redwoods are another type of giant sequoia that is found in Yosemite. They are similar to giant sequoias, but they have shorter needles and smaller cones.
* Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana): Sugar pines are large trees that are found in the upper montane and subalpine forests of Yosemite. They can grow up to 200 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. Sugar pines are named for their sweet-tasting resin, which was used by Native Americans as a food source.
* Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa): Ponderosa pines are the most common tree in Yosemite. They are found in the lower montane and upper Sonoran forests, and they can grow up to 100 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter. Ponderosa pines are fire-resistant, and they often survive forest fires that kill other trees.
Shrubs
* Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.): Manzanitas are evergreen shrubs that are found in the chaparral and woodland communities of Yosemite. They have leathery leaves and small, white or pink flowers. Manzanitas are a food source for wildlife, including bears, deer, and birds.
* Ceanothus (Ceanothus spp.): Ceanothus are evergreen shrubs that are found in the chaparral and woodland communities of Yosemite. They have small, blue or white flowers. Ceanothus are a food source for wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and birds.
* Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata): Bitterbrush is a deciduous shrub that is found in the sagebrush and bitterbrush communities of Yosemite. It has small, yellow flowers. Bitterbrush is a food source for wildlife, including deer, elk, and rabbits.
Wildflowers
* Sierra Nevada penstemon (Penstemon newberryi): Sierra Nevada penstemon is a perennial wildflower that is found in the subalpine and alpine meadows of Yosemite. It has purple flowers and grows up to 2 feet tall.
* Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata): Scarlet gilia is a perennial wildflower that is found in the chaparral and woodland communities of Yosemite. It has red flowers and grows up to 3 feet tall.
* Indian paintbrush (Castilleja spp.): Indian paintbrush is a perennial wildflower that is found in the meadows and forests of Yosemite. It has red or orange flowers and grows up to 2 feet tall.
* Sierra lupine (Lupinus sierrae): Sierra lupine is a perennial wildflower that is found in the subalpine and alpine meadows of Yosemite. It has blue flowers and grows up to 2 feet tall.
These are just a few of the many plants that can be found at Yosemite National Park. The park's diverse plant life is a testament to its rich biodiversity, and it is an important part of the park's ecosystem.