Natural History Wanderings

Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association published the following report this morning, updated this afternoon:

29 February 2012 – Desert Dandelions and Arizona Lupines can be found beside County Road S-2 from south of Agua Caliente County Park to Canyon sin Nombre. The numbers are not great, and the sizes may be small, but they are a presence to be enjoyed.

A brief stop at Fossil Canyon in the Coyote Mountains outside of Ocotillo produced a good list of species from a walk up the road and in and out of a few tributary canyons. Species seen included Heart-leaved Evening Primrose, Desert Tobacco, and a few Ghost Flowers in the rocky wash. There was lots of Cryptantha on the ground, and some nice patches of Pygmy Golden Poppy. Desert Bird-of-Paradise, a signature shrub of this canyon, was out in its usual force, although looking dry. Peirsons Brown-Eyed Primose, which usually covers the entire Ocotillo area, was only seldom seen. Desert Holly, a saltbush that thrives where soil is salty, was seen in soft green fruit, one of the great spectacles of this flower season.

Others flowering or fruiting plants noted were Desert Sunflower, Desert Pincushion, Burrobush, Desert Trumpet, Cheesebush, Desert Lantern (another member of the wonderful Evening Primrose family, Onagraceae), Sweetbush, Creosote, Brittlebush, Parish’s Golden Eyes, Spanish Needles, Arizona Lupine, Desert Lavender, and the belly flower Desert Star.

Meanwhile, Tom Chester reports on a trip along County Road S-2 which included stops at Blair Valley, Smuggler Canyon Wash, and the canyon west of Mile Marker 41: “Kate Harper, Vince Balch and I found over 2,720 plants of 88 species in bloom below 3000 feet.” Annuals seen in good numbers include Bigelows Monkey Flower, Ghost flower, Dwarf Golden Poppy, and Desert Dandelion.On a stroll along the California Riding and Hiking Trail, from Box Canyon to the Oriflamme Canyon Road, we were pleased to note 20 small Thistle Sage plants in flower.

Read all of their reports at Anza-Borrego Wildflowers Winter 2011-12.