Select a category below to learn more about the ecological role of these growth forms and browse species included in the atlas. To see a list of all species occurring in Denali, organized by growth form, download a full species list.
Trees
The tallest and perhaps the most robust growth form, trees can live for hundreds of years. In Denali, they occupy many landscapes below 3000 ft.
Shrubs & Dwarf Shrubs
Ranging from 1 inch to 8 feet tall, woody plants in Denali cannot be missed. Shrub composition plays an important part in wildlife movements.
Forbs
Forbs are a diverse group of non-woody plants, and include many of the showy wildflowers that color the landscape.
Ferns & Fern Allies
Vascular plants that reproduce by spores instead of flowers form this group of interesting and unique species.
Grasses, Sedges & Rushes
Graminoids (grasses, sedges, and rushes) are grass-like plants that often grow in meadows or other open habitats.
Mosses & Liverworts
Some of the smallest, yet ubiquitous species are the mosses and liverworts. They can be found in nearly all of Denali’s habitats.
Lichens
Lichens are not truly plants, but rather a product of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae and/or cyanobacteria.