About the Database
The Colorado Plant Database provides researched-based information on the identification, ecology
and human connections for more than 1,000 Colorado native plants as well as non-native invasive weeds.
For quick searches of the database, click the
‘Plant Search’
link in the vertical navigation section of this site.
The sources for this information are listed in the References section, also accessible via the navigation section.
The taxonomic reference used for scientific plant names in this database is Flora of Colorado,
by Jennifer Ackerfield. Names from Colorado Flora, 4th edition, by William A. Weber and Ronald C. Wittmann are also included as synonyms.
The Colorado Plant Database was created and is maintained by the staff of the
Native Plant
Master Program
. See
www.nativeplantmaster.org
for more information about field courses, indoor classes,
certification and volunteer programs offered by the award-winning Native Plant Master Program.
The database was created in response to the need for information on native plants, their use in
sustainable landscapes and alien invasive weeds that threaten native ecosystems. Sustainable
landscaping can reduce the need for water which is critical in a drought-prone state and can
decrease maintenance time and pesticide use. Control of noxious weeds can increase sustainability
of natural landscapes.
We do not recommend collection of any native plants or plant parts. Collection is prohibited on
public lands and collection can negatively impact plant populations. A number of rare native plants
have become classified as threatened or endangered because of human collection.
It should be noted that any information about the edibility of plants is given strictly for
historical purposes. We do not vouch for the safety of eating any plants or other human uses mentioned
in this database.