A typical road
side desert flower association of Coulter's Lupine, Brittle Bush and Globe
Mallow |
This is desert blooming season. This winter was particularly wet
and the desert rewards us by a spectacular spring display.
Cacti are slower to bloom, now is the time of annuals and herbaceous
perennials.
This short article illustrates some of the most colorful and abundant
species around Phoenix. The pictures were taken close to the
Boyce-Thompson Arboretum in Superior, and at the Dreamy Draw mountain
preserve in Phoenix, but any other location in the area would show the
same species. |
Mexican
Gold Poppies (Eschscholzia mexicana) are very common annuals
at the lower elevation of the state. They start blooming early in
February. There are always large fields of them near Picacho Peak on
the highway 10 between Phoenix and Tucson. |
|
Coulter's Lupine (Lupinus
sparsiflorus) |
Twenty three species of lupine can be found in Arizona. Coulter's
Lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus) is one of the most abundant around
Phoenix. Large quantities of them color the roadsides. Its
upper petal has a yellow spot that turns to red when the flower has been
fecondated.
|
Brittlebushes (Encelia farinosa) are blooming most of the year
in Phoenix, but their spring display is special. They are covered
with their 1-inch wide daisy like yellow flowers, and having been watered
abundantly, they don't have their typical dusty look.
Globemallows (Sphaeralcea sp.) are also coming out in large
quantities, mostly in bright orange colors, but also in white, pink or
purple. Although they bloom whenever they feel like, now is prime
time. |
Brittle Bush (Encelia farinosa)
|
Globemallow (Sphaeralcea
ambigua) |
Wild heliotrope (Phacelia distans) is everywhere with hairy
stems, and pale blue flowers. There are also over 3 dozens of
different species of Phacelia in Arizona. Finding which one you are
really dealing with can be tricky.
Desert Anemones (Anemone tuberosa) like a higher elevation
than Phoenix. This picture was taken at the Boyce-Thompson
arboretum. Their white flowers are over 1 inch in diameter, but they
still are not very noticeable. |
Wild Heliotrope (Phacelia distans)
|
Desert Anemone (Anemone tuberosa) |
The Filaree (Erodium cicutarium) is a small member of the
geranium family. Its small 0.25 inch wide purplish flowers are not
often given the attention they deserve. It is actually an European
native.
The Fleabanes can be easily identified by their narrow, tightly packed
rays.
There are 8 species of Ephedra in Arizona. They can be
found in the hills, and are now covered with yellowish flowers.
Their common name Mormon tea refers to the fact that Mormon settlers made
tea with the dried stems. |
Filaree (Erodium
cicutarium) |
Spreading fleabane (Erigeron
sp.) |
Mormon Tea (Ephedra
trifurca) |