Natural History Wanderings

Updated with Boyce Thompson’s photos

BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM has submitted a new wildflower bloom report and photos:

Following his recent walk Cass Blodgett noted that Highway 60 East from Florence Junction is spectacular with Pink Parry’s Penstemon along with multi-colored Globemallow, Lupine, Poppies, Desert Marigold and Fairy Duster.  Brittlebush are starting to bloom as well, adding bright yellow to hills north of the road. Here at BTA our first cactus blossoms of the season include a rare Claret Cup (Echinocereus triglochidiatus, var. Arizonicus) with six red flowers open and easily photographed in the raised bed where the Main Trail crosses Silver King Wash. And the first of our native ‘Boyce Thompson’ Hedgehog cacti has two flowers and a half-dozen unopened buds at the highest point on the main trail – near the Picket Post Mansion overlook. Trailside flowers include Mexican Goldpoppies, Lupine, Bladderpod, Owls Clover, Parry’s Penstemon and Western Dayflower. On the High Trail Miners Lettuce lines base of cliffs, several Wallflower are blooming and Purple Bladderpod; observant viewers may notice one bright Red Mint below the trail. Remains of a patch of Desert Anemone at the west end have white flowers that may get rejuvenated by Sunday-Monday rain.

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At BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM Arizona Native Plants Society Chapter President Cass Blodgett leads a weekly wildflower walk Sunday (March 25) and again Saturday March 31 at 11am. Joining him Sunday will be Arizona author Christine Maxa (“Arizona’s Best Wildflower Hikes: The Desert”), an expert on the inter-relationships between flowers and native pollinators. Maxa will sign copies of her books following the 11:00-12:30 walking tour. Wildflower walks are included with daily admission of $9.