Natural History Wanderings

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park published the following wildflower bloom report:

Wildflower Update for March 15th

• Visitor Center area: brittlebush, chuparosa (most have red blossoms, but there is
  one in the Nierenberg Amphitheater that is covered with yellow flowers), and desert lavender are in bloom. A beautiful beavertail cactus has started blooming near the Nierenberg Plaza and Amphitheater, and has many more buds ready to go! Tiny cryptantha is just about the only annual so far, although one (1!) desert dandelion was spotted recently, and a few phacelia plants have started to grow, though they have yet to bloom. What can you find?
  Borrego Palm Canyon: chuparosa, brittlebush, viguiera, trixis, desert lavender, ocotillo, sweetbush, cheesebush, and creosote bush; scattered (and few) annuals such as monkeyflowers, pygmy poppies, whispering bells, rock daisy, cryptantha and phacelia. Look for the delicate white blossoms of fiesta flower in shady spots.
• Blair Valley: goldfields are blooming on the lake bed. Other annuals (in small quantities) can be found on the Morteros and Pictographs Trails, including phacelia, penstemon, and fishhook cactus.
•  Indian Gorge and North fork of Indian Canyon (4WD high clearance recommended; high clearance required): Desert Dandelions and Arizona Lupine are visible from the highway. In the north fork can be found pincushion, some sand verbena, spectacle pod, cryptantha, chia, brown-eyed eveing primrose, goldfields, desert star, pygmy poppies, Fiddleneck, monkeyflower, desert chicory, phacelia, filaree, viguiera, wishbone bush, and desert trumpet. Shrubs and cacti in bloom include hedgehog cactus, chollas, barrel cactus, agave, cheesebush, brittlebush, chuparosa, creosote bush, and desert lavender.
•  Plum Canyon: Shrubs are blooming, including chuparosa, brittlebush, desert lavender, and agave, along with some annuals—desert star, monkeyflower, little gold poppy and Fiddleneck. Here, as elsewhere, flower seekers need to get out of their cars and look around in order to find them. Blooming ocotillo can be found along Highway 78 as you head east toward Ocotillo Wells.

Related articles

• Anza-Borrego Wildflower Update 3/22/12 (naturalhistorywanderings.com)