Plants

East Anacapa has no trees, but is covered by low lying vegetation across the island. This includes wildflowers, ice plant, grasses, cacti, and various bushes.

The Channel Islands feature 265 species of plants. 20% of these plants are non-native,most brought to the islands by man since the arrival of non-native peoples. The cactus below is found on East Anacapa Island.

This cactus also grows on East Anacapa Island.

East Anacapa Island has a large amount of ice plant, which is not native to the Channel Islands--it originally came from South Africa--but has vigorously established itself. The plant concentrates salt from the sea air, damaging the soil so nothing else can grow.

Interestingly, ice plant was originally brought to the island by the Coast Guard. Efforts have long been underway, however, to eradicate the non-native plant and provide a better environment for the native vegetation to reestablish itself.

    

The island features a variety of wildflowers, such as the white example shown below.

This white wildflower is found on East Anacapa Island.

Another wildflower growing on East Anacapa Island is shown below.