Anza-Borrego Desert Wildflowers Update

Posted by: Sandy Steinman | December 16, 2015

Dec. 15, 2015 First, Second, Third Crossing View Hike details here. “This is always an interesting place to hike and see other flowering plants; there was much more in bloom that we expected. Our first find of White sweetclover, Melilotus alba, still in bloom Blackbanded rabbitbrush, Ericameria paniculata, Bladderpod bush, Peritoma arborea. We’ve already seen the Bladderpod blooming in November in a couple of places. When Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa is wet at the base, it really likes to bloom right now. Mule fat, Baccharis salicifolia ssp. salicifolia female, fruit is the ultimate proof. We’ve seen them blooming recently in Aqua Caliente Marsh and when you look carefully you find California loosestrife, Lythrum californicum more or less hidden, because it’s not prime bloom.”

Dec. 13, 2015 Elephant Knees area “We hiked farther south from the elephant knees, to check out the area. From what we saw, something happened recently we expect a flash flood of 4-6 feet in the main wash along the Elephant knees. Have never seen Russian thistle, Salsola tragus this big before. You see scrubs happier than in most other places in the park. Carla noticed a blooming: While is I was making a picture she found something more interesting; a blooming Four wing saltbush, Atriplex canescens canescens.”

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