Theodore Roosevelt National Park Natural History Page

Welcome to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Natural History Information Page
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Theodore Roosevelt National Park Natural History Page

  • Amphibians and Reptiles List
  • Bird List
  • Buffalo
  • Common Plant List
  • Invasive Plants
  • Mammal List
  • North Dakota Badlands
  • Prairie Dogs
  • Wild Horses

  • 
    

    North Dakota's Badlands

    About 60 million years ago, streams carried eroded materials eastward from the young Rocky Mountains and deposited them on a vast lowland -- today's Great Plains. During the warm, rainy periods that followed, dense vegetation grew, fell into swamp areas, and was later buried by new layers of sediments. Eventually this plant material turned into lignite coal. Some plantlife became petrified; today considerable amounts of petrified wood are exposed in the badlands. Bentonite, the blue-gray layer of clay , may be traced to ash from ancient volcanoes far to the west. But even as sediments were being deposited, streams were starting to cut down through the soft strata and to sculpt the infinite variety of buttes, tablelands, and valleys that made up the badlands we know today.

    Though at first glance this landscape appears inhospitable and barren, it is home to a great variety of creatures and plants. Rainfall, scanty though it is, nourishes the grasses that cover the lands. And when the wildflowers bloom in bright profusion, they add their vibrant colors to the reds, browns, and greens of the earth and grasses. At home here, too, are over 180 species of birds, many of them songbirds. Both mule deer and white-tail deer inhabit the park. The whitetails prefer the river woodlands, and the mule deer like the more broken country and the uplands. Prairie dogs, historically a staple food source for many predators, live in "towns" in the grass lands. Through careful management some animals that nearly become extinct are once again living here. Bison and elk, for example, were reintroduced in 1956 and 1985 respectively.


    
    Mammal List
    

    Artiodactyla - cloven-hoofed
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Wapiti (Elk) Cervus elaphus Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus
    White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus Pronghorn (Antelope) Antilocapra americana
    American Bison (Buffalo) Bison bison Mountain Sheep
    (Bighorn Sheep)
    Ovis canadensis californiana
    Longhorn Bos taurus

    Perissodactyla - singletoed-hoofed
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Feral Horse (Wild Horse) Equus caballus

    Carnivora - flesh eaters
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Coyote Canis latrans Swift Fox - very rare Vulpes velox
    Red Fox - uncommon Vulpes vulpes Raccoon - uncommon Procyon lotor
    Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata Black-footed Ferret
    extirpated
    Mustela nigripes
    Least Weasel - very rare Mustela rixosa Mink Mustela vison
    Badger Taxidea taxus Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis
    River Otter
    extirpated
    Lutra canadensis Mountain Lion - very rare Felis concolor
    Lynx - very rare Felis canadensis Bobcat - uncommon Felis rufus

    Rodentia - gnawing
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Least Chipmunk Tamias minimus Richardson's Ground Squirrel very rare Spermophilus richardsonii
    Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel Spermophilus tridecemlineatus Black-tailed Prairie Dog Cynomys ludovicianus
    Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger Northern Pocket Gopher Thomomys talpoides
    Olive-backed Pocket Mouse Perognathus fasciatus Ord's Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys ordii
    Beaver Caster canadensis Western Harvest Mouse Reithrodontomys megalotis
    White-footed Mouse
    uncommon
    Peromyscus leucopus Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus
    Northern Grasshopper Mouse Onychomys leucogaster Bushy-tailed Woodrat Neotoma cinerea
    Bushy-tailed Woodrat Neotoma cinerea Prairie Vole Microtus ochrogaster
    Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus Sagebrush Vole - uncommon Lagurus curtatus
    Muskrat - rare Ondatra zibethicus Meadow Jumping Mouse Zapus hudsonius
    Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum House Mouse Mus musculus

    Lagomorpha - rabbits, hares, pikas
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus
    Nuttall's Cottontail - very rare Sylvilagus nuttallii Snowshoe Hare Lepus americanus
    Prairie Hare
    (White-tailed Jackrabbit)
    Lepus townsendii

    Chiroptera - bats
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Long-eared Myotis - very rare Myotis evotis Keen's Myotis - very rare Myotis keenii
    Small-footed Myotis - uncommon Myotis leibii Little Brown Myotis Myotis lucifugus
    Long-legged Myotis Myotis volans Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans
    Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuscus Red Bat Lasiurus borealis
    Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus

    Insectivora - shrews, moles
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Masked Shrew - uncommon Sorex cinereus Merriam's Shrew Sorex merriami


    
    

    Amphibians and Reptiles List

    North Dakota has a sparse fauna of amphibians and reptiles. While individual populations may get quite high, species diversity is low. The semi-arid climate provides only marginal conditions for breeding and hibernation of amphibians, while low winter temperatures and the short growing season appear to be primary limiting factors for reptiles. Several of the species listed below are very rare or infrequently found and are in quite localized populations.

    Slimy or dry, snakes, lizards, and salamanders are some of the most feared and misunderstood members of the animal kingdom. The prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is the only poisonous reptile in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. They have more reason to fear us than we do them. The rattlesnake will ignore or avoid us unless surprised or provoked. Then, watch out! Do not attempt to capture or kill snakes. Observe and enjoy them from a distance and remember that all wildlife is protected in a national park.

    Common sense and an appreciation for the benefits and beauty of reptiles and amphibians will protect both them and you.

    Amphibians
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Tiger Salamander Ambystoma tigrinum Plains Spadefoot Toad Scaphiopus bombifrons
    Great Plains Toad Bufo cognatus Rocky Mountain (Woodhouse's) Toad Bufo woodhousei
    Boreal Chorus Frog Pseudacris nigrita Leopard Frog Rana pipiens

    Reptiles
    Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name
    Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina Western Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta
    Soft-shelled Turtle Trionyx muticus Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus graciosus
    Short-horned Lizard Phrynosoma douglassi Western Plains Garter Snake Thamnophis radix
    Red-sided Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis Western Smooth Green Snake Opheodrys vernalis
    Plains Hognose Snake Heterodon nasicus Yellow-bellied (Blue) Racer Coluber constrictor
    Bullsnake (Gopher Snake) Pituophis melanoleucus Prairie Rattlesnake Crotalus viridis


    
    

    Bird List

    Theodore Roosevelt admired and respected the knowledge of John James Audubon. As a result, he became quite an avid bird watcher and spent much time studying natural history. He wrote, “All I can say is that almost as soon as I began to read at all, I began to read about the natural history of beasts and birds....”.

    When Roosevelt arrived in the North Dakota Badlands in 1883 for a hunting trip, not only was he struck by the beauty of the area but, as a naturalist, he also found the variety of birdlife exhilarating.

    Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a 70,446-acre park in three units. A variety of habitats make up the park, including native prairie, north- and south-facing slopes, hardwood and juniper draws, sagebrush flats, and undisturbed Little Missouri River bottomland forest. The occurrence and status of bird species has been changing since the beginning of time. Visiting birders are asked to inform park personnel if a bird of which they have knowledge is new to the list, nesting has been confirmed, or if its status should be changed. This list includes 186 species which have been observed in Theodore Roosevelt National Park plus 22 species that have not yet been observed but are suspected of occurring since they have been seen in the immediate area. This list includes 69 species that are known to have nested in the park, 39 species that are probable breeders, and 16 species whose nesting status is uncertain.

    Seasons

    Spring: March through May
    Summer: June through July
    Fall: August through November
    Winter: December through February

    Code Definition

    Common: abundant in suitable habitats; habitat is widespread.
    Fairly Common in most suitable habitats: habitat type is strongly represented.
    Uncommon: present but not certain to be seen on each trip.
    Rare: local occurrence within park, low numbers in area.
    Occasional: seen only a few times a season and not every year.
    Accidental: a species out of normal range; very few records; not expected to occur again or occurs very infrequently.
    Suspected: not yet observed WITHIN the park or in that season, but has been seen in the area and MAY be present.
    Extirpated: no longer occurs in the park but did historically.
    X — Species that are known to have nested in the park. Active nests with eggs or young, adults and dependent young, etc.
    Y — Species suspected to have nested from observation of pair in suitable habitat, singing male, etc.
    Z — Nesting status uncertain.

  • Chickadees, Nuthatchers, Creepers
  • Cranes and Rails
  • Flycatchers
  • Gallinaceous Birds
  • Grosbeaks, Finches, Radpolls
  • Gulls and Turns
  • Herins and Ibises
  • Hummingbirds and Kingfishers
  • Jays, Magpies and Crow
  • Larks and Swallows
  • Loons and Grebes
  • Meadowlarks, Blackbirds, Orioles
  • Owls and Goatsuckers
  • Pelicans and Cormarant
  • Pigeons and Cuckoos
  • Pipits and Waxwings
  • Plovers and Turnstones
  • Shirkes and Starlings
  • Snipes, Sandpipers, Stilts
  • Tanagers, Grosbeaks and Buntings
  • Thrushes and Thrashers
  • Towees, Sparrows, Juncos, Longspurs
  • Vireos and Wood Warblers
  • Vultures and Hawks
  • Waterfowl
  • Weaver Finches
  • Woodpeckers
  • Wrens and Kinglets
  • Chickadees, Nuthatches and Creepers
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    B.-c. Chickadee X Common Common Common Common
    Red-b. Nuthatch Z Suspected Occasional Suspected Occasional
    White-b. Nuthatch X Uncommon Fairly Common Uncommon Uncommon
    Brown Creeper
    Suspected Suspected Occasional

    Cranes and Rails
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Sora Z Occasional Suspected Suspected
    American Coot
    Occasional
    Suspected
    Sandhill Crane
    Fairly Common
    Common
    Whooping Crane
    Occasional
    Occasional

    Flycatchers
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    W. Wood-Pewee X Suspected Occasional Suspected
    Willow Flycatcher X Suspected Occasional Suspected
    Least Flycatcher X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Say’s Phoebe X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    G. C. Flycatcher
    Occasional Occasional Suspected
    Western Kingbird X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Eastern Kingbird X Common Common Common
    Scis.-tailed Flycatcher

    Accidental

    Gallinaceous Birds
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Gray Partridge Y

    Occasional Occasional
    Ring-n. Pheasant X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Sage Grouse X Suspected Occasional Suspected Suspected
    Gr. Pr.-Chicken Z Extirpated Extirpated Extirpated Extirpated
    Sharp-t. Grouse X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Wild Turkey X Fairly Common Fairly Common Uncommon Uncommon

    Grosbeaks, Finches and Redpolls
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Rosy Finch



    Occasional
    Pine Grosbeak



    Occasional
    Purple Finch
    Occasional

    Occasional
    Red Crossbill
    Occasional Occasional Suspect Occasional
    Common Redpoll
    Suspect

    Fairly Common
    Hoary Redpoll
    Suspect

    Occasional
    Pine Siskin X Occasional Occasional
    Occasional
    American Goldfinch Y Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Occasional
    Evening Grosbeak
    Occasional
    Suspect Occasional

    Gulls and Turns
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Franklin’s Gull
    Occasional Suspected Suspected
    Ring-billed Gull
    Occasional Occasional Suspected
    California Gull
    Suspected Suspected Suspected
    Common Tern
    Suspected Suspected Suspected
    Forster’s Tern
    Suspected Suspected Suspected
    Black Tern
    Suspected Suspected Suspected

    Herins and Ibises
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Great Blue Heron X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Bl.-cr. N.-heron

    Occasional

    Hummingbirds and Kingfishers
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    R.-t. Hummingbird
    Occasional Occasional Occasional
    Belted Kingfisher Y Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon Occasional

    Jays, Magpies and Crows
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Blue Jay X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon Occasional
    Clark’s Nutcracker
    Suspect
    Occasional Occasional
    Black-b. Magpie X Fairly Common Common Common Fairly Common
    American Crow X Common Fairly Common Common Occasional
    Common Raven Z
    Extirpated Occasional Suspected

    Larks and Swallows
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Horned Lark Y Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Uncommon
    Tree Swallow X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Violet-g. Swallow X Suspected Rare Occasional
    N. R.-w. Swallow X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Bank Swallow X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Cliff Swallow X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Barn Swallow X Common Common Common

    Loons and Grebe
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Pied-bil. Grebe
    Occasional
    Suspected

    Meadowlarks, Blackbirds and Orioles
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Bobolink Y Suspect Rare Suspect
    Red-w. Blackbird Y Uncommon Uncommon Occasional
    W. Meadowlark X Common Common Common Occasional
    Yel.-h. Blackbird Z Suspect Suspect Occasional
    Rusty Blackbird
    Suspect
    Suspect Occasional
    Brewer’s Blackbird Y Uncommon Rare Uncommon Occasional
    Common Grackle Y Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Brown-h. Cowbird X Fairly Common Fairly Common Uncommon
    Orchard Oriole Y Rare Uncommon Uncommon
    Northern Oriole X Fairly Common Fairly Common Suspect

    Owls and Goatsuckers
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Barn Owl Y



    E. Screech-Owl Y Rare Rare Rare Rare
    Great Horned Owl X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Snowy Owl


    Suspected Occasional
    Burrowing Owl X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Great Gray Owl

    Accidental

    Long-eared Owl Y Rare Rare Suspected
    Short-eared Owl Z Suspected Occasional Suspected Occasional
    N. Saw-whet Owl X
    Occasional Occasional Occasional
    Common Nighthawk Y Fairly Common Fairly Common Common
    Poor-will Y Rare Uncommon Rare

    Pelicans and Cormorants
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Am. White Pelican
    Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    D.-c. Cormorant
    Suspected
    Accidental

    Pigeons and Cuckoos
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Rock Dove Y Occasional Occasional Occasional Occasional
    Mourning Dove X Common Common Common
    Passenger Pigeon - Extinct Z



    Black-b. Cuckoo Y Uncommon Uncommon Suspected
    Yellow-b. Cuckoo Y Suspected Occasional Suspected

    Pipits and Waxwings
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Sprague’s Pipit Y Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Bohemian Waxwing/b>
    Uncommon
    Uncommon Common
    Cedar Waxwing X Uncommon Fairly Common Uncommon Uncommon

    Plovers and Turnstones
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Killdeer X Fairly Common Fairly Common Uncommon
    Mountain Plover Y Extirpated Extirpated Extirpated

    Shrikes and Starlings
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Northern Shrike


    Occasional Uncommon
    Loggerhead Shrike Y Uncommon Fairly Common Uncommon Occasional
    European Starling X Uncommon Rare Occasional Rare

    Snipes, Sandpipers, & Stilts
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    American Avocet
    Occasional Occasional Suspected
    Gr. Yellowlegs
    Suspected
    Occasional
    Les. Yellowlegs
    Suspected
    Occasional
    Sol. Sandpiper
    Occasional
    Suspected
    Willet
    Occasional
    Suspected
    Spot. Sandpiper Y Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Upland Sandpiper X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Eskimo Curlew
    Extirpated
    Extirpated
    Long-bil. Curlew Z Suspected Occasional

    Semipalmated Sandpiper
    Suspected Suspected Suspected
    Least Sandpiper

    Occasional

    Pectoral Sandpiper
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Common Snipe
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Wilson’s Phalarope
    Suspected
    Suspected

    Tanagers, Grosbeaks and Buntings
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Western Tanager Z Occasional Occasional

    Rose-b. Grosbeak Z Occasional Occasional Suspect
    Bl.h. Grosbeak X Fairly Common Fairly Common Suspect
    Lazuli Bunting X Common Common Fairly Common
    Indigo Bunting Y Suspect Occasional Suspect

    Thrushes and Thrashers
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Eastern Bluebird X Uncommon Occasional Uncommon
    Mount. Bluebird
    Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Town. Solitaire
    Suspected
    Occasional Rare
    Veery Y Occasional Occasional Suspected
    Gray-ch. Thrush
    Suspected


    Swainson’s Thrush
    Occasional Occasional Suspected
    American Robin X Common Common Common Uncommon
    Gray Catbird Y Uncommon Uncommon Suspected
    Brown Thrasher X Fairly Common Fairly Common Uncommon
    Mockingbird

    Accidental

    Towees, Sparrows, Juncos and Longspurs
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Rufous-s. Towhee X Common Common Common
    Am. Tree Sparrow
    Fairly Common
    Fairly Common Rare
    Chipping Sparrow X Common Common Common
    Clay-col. Sparrow Y Common Common Common
    Brewer’s Sparrow Z Suspect Suspect Suspect
    Field Sparrow X Common Common Common
    Vesper Sparrow X Common Common Common
    Lark Sparrow Y Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Lark Bunting Y Uncommon Rare Uncommon
    Savannah Sparrow Y Suspect Rare

    Baird’s Sparrow Y Suspect Rare

    Grasshopper Spar Y Fairly Common Fairly Common Uncommon
    Fox Sparrow
    Suspect
    Suspect
    Song Sparrow X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Lincoln’s Sparrow
    Suspect
    Suspect
    Wh.-thr. Sparrow
    Rare
    Occasional Accidental
    Wh.-cr. Sparrow
    Uncommon
    Uncommon
    Harris’ Sparrow
    Uncommon
    Uncommon Occasional
    Dark-eyed Junco
    Common
    Common Occasional
    McCown’s Longspur Z Suspect Suspect Suspect
    Lapland Longspur
    Suspect
    Suspect Occasional
    Smith’s Longspur


    Occasional
    Ch.-col. Longspur Y Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Snow Bunting
    Suspect Occasional Occasional

    Vireos and Wood Warblers
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Solitary Vireo
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Yellow-thr. Vireo


    Accidental
    Warbling Vireo Y Uncommon Fairly Common Uncommon
    Red-eyed Vireo X Fairly Common Common Fairly Common
    Tenn. Warbler
    Occasional
    Suspected
    Or.-cro. Warbler
    Occasional
    Occasional
    N. Parula
    Accidental


    Yellow Warbler X Common Common Common
    Bl.-thr. Blue Warbler

    Accidental

    Yel.-ru. Warbler
    Fairly Common
    Suspect
    Blackpoll Warbler
    Uncommon Occasional Suspect
    Bl. & Wh. Warbler Y Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Am. Redstart X Common Common Common
    Ovenbird X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    N. Waterthrush
    Suspect
    Suspect
    Mourning Warbler
    Occasional
    Suspect
    Com. Yellowthroat X Common Common Common
    Wilson’s Warbler
    Suspect
    Occasional
    Yellow-br. Chat X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common

    Vultures and Hawks
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Turkey Vulture Y Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Ospray


    Accidental
    Bald Eagle
    Rare Suspected Rare Occasional
    Northern Harrier X Common Fairly Common Common Occasional
    Sharp-shin. Hawk X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon Occasional
    Cooper’s Hawk X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon Occasional
    Northern Goshawk
    Occasional Occasional Suspected Rare
    Swainson’s Hawk Y Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Red-tailed Hawk X Common Fairly Common Common Rare
    Ferruginous Hawk
    Rare Rare Rare
    Rough-leg. Hawk
    Rare
    Uncommon Rare
    Golden Eagle X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    American Kestrel X Common Fairly Common Common Occasional
    Merlin X Rare Occasional Rare Occasional
    Peregrine Falcon Z Occasional Occasional Occasional Occasional
    Prairie Falcon X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon Occasional

    Waterfowl
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Tundra Swan
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Snow Goose
    Uncommon
    Suspected
    Gr. Wh.-f Goose
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Canada Goose X Fairly Common Occasional Fairly Common Occasional
    Wood Duck X Occasional Occasional Suspected
    Green-w. Teal Y Uncommon Rare Suspected
    Mallard X Fairly Common Rare Occasional Suspected
    Northern Pintail Z Uncommon Rare Suspected
    Blue-winged Teal X Fairly Common Rare Suspected
    Cinnamon Teal Z Suspected Suspected Suspected
    N. Shoveler
    Uncommon Suspected Suspected
    Gadwall Y Rare Occasional Suspected
    American Wigeon Y Rare Occasional Suspected
    Canvasback
    Occasional Suspected Suspected
    Redhead
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Ring-necked Duck
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Lesser Scaup
    Occasional Suspected Suspected
    Common Goldeneye
    Occasional
    Suspected Suspected
    Bufflehead
    Suspected
    Suspected
    Common Merganser
    Occasional
    Suspected
    Ruddy Duck
    Suspected
    Suspected

    Weaver Finches
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    House Sparrow Y Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon

    Woodpeckers
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    R.h. Woodpecker X Uncommon Uncommon Uncommon
    Downy Woodpecker X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Hairy Woodpecker X Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common Fairly Common
    Common Flicker X Common Common Common Ocasional

    Wrens and Kinglets
    Name Nesting Spring Summer Fall Winter
    Rock Wren X Common Common Fairly Common
    House Wren X Common Common Fairly Common
    Gol.-cr. Kinglet
    Suspect
    Occasional
    Ruby-cr. Kinglet
    Suspect
    Occasional


    Common Plant List

    This flora list represents 102 of the more common plants found in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Over 400 plants have been located and identified within the park and it is estimated that perhaps as many as 500 different species exist. Please respect other park visitors as well as wildlife when viewing wildflowers. Picking or collecting plants is prohibited.

    Plants listed can be found in one or all three units of the park. Common names shown are those used in this region. Scientific names follow the convention used in Flora of the Great Plains published in 1986 by University Press of Kansas unless later accepted changes have been made. Flowering date represents the best period of time to see the plant in bloom under normal conditions. Dates could be altered by weather. Space permits listing only primary habitat.

  • Grasses
  • Plants
  • Shrubs
  • Trees

  • Grasses
    Name Scientific Family Habitat
    Big sandgrass Calamovilfa longifolia Grass Sandy setting
    Blue grama Bouteloua Grass Prairie
    Buffalo grass Buchloe dactyloides Grass Uplands
    Canada wild rye Elymus canadensis Grass Riverbottom/channels
    Crested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum Grass Roadsides
    Foxtail barley Hordeum jubatum Grass Alkaline settings
    Green needlegrass Stipa viridula Grass Prairie
    Junegrass Koeleria pyramidata Grass Prairie
    Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis Grass Campground
    Little bluestem Andropogon scoparius Grass Ridge slopes
    Needle-and-thread Stipa comata Grass Prairie
    Threadleaf sedge Carex filifolia Sedge Prairie uplands
    Saltgrass Distichlis spicata stricta Grass Alkaline settings
    Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula Grass Ridge slopes
    Smooth brome Bromus inermis Grass Roadsides
    Western wheatgrass (state grass) Agropyron smithii Grass Uplands

    Shrubs
    Name Scientific Family Flowering Time Flowering Color
    Big sage/ Three-toothed sage Artemisia tridentata Aster

    Buckbrush/Wolfberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis Honeysuckle Jun-Jul White
    Buffaloberry/Bullberry Shepherdia argentea Oleaster

    Choke cherry Prunus virginiana Rose May-Jun White
    Common/Shrub juniper/ cedar Juniperus communis Cypress

    Creeping juniper/cedar Juniperus horizontalis Cypress

    Skunkbush/Fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica Cashew May-Jun Yellow
    Golden/Buffalo currant Ribes odoratum Currant May Yellow
    Greasewood Sarcobatus vermiculatus Goosefoot

    Juneberry/Saskatoon Amelanchier alnifolia Rose

    Poison ivy Toxicodendron rydbergii Cashew

    Prairie rose (state flower) Rosa arkansana Rose Jun-Jul Pink
    Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus nauseosus Aster Aug-Sep Yellow
    Sandbar willow Salix interior Willow

    Shrubby cinquefoil/ Potentilla Potentilla fruiticosa Rose Jun-Aug Yellow
    Silver sage Artemisia cana Aster

    Spiny saltbush Atriplex confertiflora Goosefoot

    Wild plum Prunus americana Rose May White
    Winterfat Ceratoides lanata Goosefoot

    Wood's rose Rosa woodsii Rose Jun Pink

    Trees
    Name Scientific Family Habitat
    American elm Ulmus americana Elm Riverbottom, draws
    Box elder Acer negundo Maple Riverbottom
    Cottonwood Populus deltoides Willow Riverbottom
    Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Olive Draws, riverbottom
    Rocky Mountain juniper/cedar Juniperus scopulorum Cypress North-facing slopes

    Plants
    Name Scientific Family Flowering Time Flowering Color
    Aromatic aster Aster oblongifolius Aster Aug-Sep Purple
    Bastard toadflax Comandra umbellata Sandalwood May-Jun White
    Bergamot/Beebalm Monarda fistulosa Mint Jul-Aug Pink
    Blazing star/ Dotted gayfeather Liatris aspera Aster Aug-Sep Purple
    Blue wild lettuce Lactuca oblongifolia Aster Jun-Sept Purple
    Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae Aster Aug-Sep Yellow
    Butte candle Cryptantha celosioides Borage Jun White
    Common sunflower Helianthus annuus Aster Jul-Sep Yellow
    Crested beardtongue Penstemon eriantherus Figwort Jun Purple
    Curlycup gumweed Grindelia squarrosa Aster Jul-Sep Yellow
    False Solomon's seal Smilacina stellata Lily Jun White
    Fetid marigold Dyssodia papposa Aster Jun-Aug Yellow
    Field bindweed Convolvulus sepium Morning Glory Jun-Jul White
    Fringed sage Artemisia frigida Aster Aug-Sep Yellowish
    Goat's beard/ Western salsify Tragopogon dubius Aster Jun-Aug Yellow
    Golden aster Chrysopsis villosa Aster July-Sept Yellow
    Golden pea Thermopsis rhombifolia Pea May-Jun Yellow
    Goldenrod Solidago spp. Aster Aug-Sep Yellow
    Ground plum Astragalus crassicarpus Bean May-Jun Pink
    Gumbo lily Oenothera caespitosa