Natural History Wanderings

DesertUSA reports for Big Bend

Mar 18, 2015 Big Bend National Park‬ Reports: Blooming now! Phacelia (Phacelia congesta) lines roadways in both the state and national park. The pale purple flowers bloom on curled stalks — the botanical term for this is “scorpiod,” reminiscent of a scorpion’s tail. Photo taken 3/13/15 on Hwy 170. Mar 17, 2015 Big Bend National Park‬ Reports: The purple of Desert Verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida, previously Verbena wrightii) is surrounded by the cheery yellow of Fendler’s bladderpod (Lesquerella fendleri). Both of these blooms can now be seen growing predominantly in rocky, dry soils at mid and lower elevations in the Park.

See photos at Desert Wildflower Reports for Texas.