Natural History Wanderings

Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association published the following wildflower bloom update on 4/27/11

“Cacti are starting to flower along the Grapevine Canyon Road and along the west slope of Grapevine Mountain along the Pacific Crest Trail north of Highway 78. Look for the red flowers of Hedgehog and Beavertail cactus and the yellow/green flowers of Gander’s Cholla. You may also spot Panamint Dudleya in bloom along the Grapevine Canyon Road and you certainly will see lots of Fringed Spineflower if you walk the PCT a few yards north of Highway 78.

South of the Grapevine Canyon road in Plum Canyon, we noted our first budding Desert Prickly Pear of the year. The scarlet tassels of Ocotillo and the red flowers of Chuparosa here are, as always, a great combination of color with the yellow of Brittlebush (albeit fading), Creosote, and the fruit of Turpentine-Broom. Southward on S-2, the colorful Desert Sweet Pea lines the roadway with Thistle Sage providing a splash of blue opposite the entrance to Blair Valley.”