Vegetation is more abundant in Grand Wash. Although relatively bare stone, or slickrock, dominates the landscape here, plants also are plainly visible. Channels and washes, although usually dry, carry water often enough to support a step shrub ecosystem.
Plants like Apache-plume are rarely found far from washes. Other species, like rabbit brush, tolerate drier environments. Flash floods can roar down canyons, carrying debris that crushes and smothers vegetation. Plant life survival requires fulfilling the need for adequate water and protection from floods.