Natural History Wanderings

Updated 2/25/11

Anza Borrego Desert State Park reports and  has a map showing bloom:

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Wildflower Update 2-24-2011

“Wildflowers are appearing in several areas of the park, though we are not seeing large fields of wildflowers on display.

Borrego Palm Canyon – This is one of the best displays in the park right now, along with other western canyons. Expect to see lots of Chuparosa and Desert Lavender, with Brittlebush and Creosote Bush also in bloom. Look for Monkeyflowers in sandy areas, and along the trail you should find Phacelia, Whispering Bells, Fremont Pincushion, Brown-eyed Primrose, Desert Dandelion, Desert Chicory, Pygmy Poppy, Rock Daisy, Checker Fiddleneck, Fiesta Flower, Datura, Purple Mat, Chia, Groundcherry, Filaree, Laxflower, Goldenbush, Cheesebush, Apricot Mallow and Wishbone Bush. Hellhole Canyon and Little Surprise Canyon – Spotted in bloom: Phacelia, Canterbury Bells, Monkey Flowers, Agave, Forget-Me-Not, Fiesta Flower, Goldenbush, Sand Blazing Star, Purple Mat, Little Gold Poppy, Parish’s Poppy, Brown-eyed Primrose, Wishbone Bush, Desert Lavender, Fiddleneck, Miner’s Lettuce, Desert Chicory, Chuparosa, Ocotillo, Rock Daisy, Ghost Flower, Woody Bottlewasher, Yellow Groundcherry, Indigo Bush, Viguiera, Brittlebush, Whispering Bells, Trixis, Indigo Bush, Creosote Bush, Desert Dandelion, Woody Bottlewasher, Yellow Groundcherry, and Fagonia. Coyote Canyon – Where the pavement ends on DiGiorgio Road you can find (but you’ll have to get out and look for them!) Spectacle Pod, Brown-eyed Primrose, Desert Dandelion, Lupine, a few Dune Evening Primrose, and some Desert Sand Verbena. At the trailhead for Alcoholic Pass, follow the wash to find Monkeyflowers and other annuals. Henderson Canyon Road – Sand Verbena and Lupine, a few Dune Primrose, and Desert Sunflowers are blooming toward the eastern end of the road, but Desert Sunflowers and other annuals have been badly frost-damaged and may not recover for a good display in the “flower fields.” Borrego Badlands – Scattered desert sunflowers and milkvetch (astragalus) are making an appearance in washes and on hillsides. A few Desert Lilies are blooming at Vista del Malpais. Caution: Four-wheel drive is required! Fish Creek/Wind Caves – Milkvetch, Lupine, Popcorn Flower, Orcutt’s Aster, Desert Lavender, Alkali Goldenbush, Sweetbush, Brittlebush, Desert Chicory, and some Desert Sunflower. Caution: Four- wheel drive with high clearance is required! Mountain Palm Springs / Bow Willow Area – Monkeyflowers are on display in the sandy areas on the way to Palm Bowl Grove. Look around also for Pygmy Poppy, Pincushion, Brittlebush, Desert Tobacco, Rock Daisy, Popcorn Flower, Wild Heliotrope (Phacelia), Lupine, Wishbone Bush, Desert Velvet, and even a Barrel Cactus in bloom. Vehicles with high clearance can venture into Indian Gorge to see ghost flowers at the entrance to Torote Canyon. Buttes Pass Road and Hawk Canyon – Scattered Sand Verbena and Arizona Lupine. Caution: 4WD recommended. Quartz Vein and Pinyon Washes – Look for Monkeyflowers in sandy areas. Caution: 4WD recommended in Quartz Vein Wash and required in PinyonWash.”

Desert USA has reports (Feb.23 and Feb. 24) of a variety of flowers blooming in Coyote Canyon, no flowers at Molly Mine, 24 species in bloom at Little Surprise Canyon, a small flowery spot along Henderson Canyon (San Verbena, Evening Primrose and Desert Sunflower) and Desert Lily starting to bloom along Truckhaven Trail.  Go to Desert USA to see more details.