Natural History Wanderings

Death Valley National Park has the following new wildflower report

The mid-elevation flowers are past their peak. Last week’s hot weather was hard on the blossoms, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t flowers. Check out the photos for just a few examples of what you might still find out there. The good news is that the lower temperatures and scattered rain showers at the beginning of this week will let those blooms that have survived shine a little bit longer. Good roadside flower viewing can be found on the Dante’s View Road, Daylight Pass, and Emigrant Canyon. Even though the blooms are starting to fade at the mid elevations, they are just getting started in the higher elevations. Flowers can now be found all along the Wildrose Road, too.
If you have a high clearance vehicle, there are a few other great hotspots. The first ten miles or so of the Greenwater Road are carpeted with Desert Dandelion (Malacothrix glabrata) and Fremont Pincushion (Chaenactis fremontii). For cacti, try the Big Pine/Death Valley Road. If you’re still looking for the elusive Desert Five Spot (Eremalche rotundifolia), this is a great place to search. There are lots of them scattered along the roadside here. Titus Canyon is looking great. Prince’s Plume (Stanleya pinnata) is starting to bloom, and there are still a lot of Golden Evening Primrose (Camissonia brevipes) blooming here. Keep an eye peeled for the beautiful Mojave Fishhook Cactus(Sclerocactus polyancistrus).
It’s been a great spring, with fabulous fragrances and beautiful bouquets all along the way. This is our last wildflower update of the season, but the flowers will continue to bloom for quite a few weeks. Watch the higher elevations for Mariposa Lilies (Calochortus kennedyi) var. munzi), Purple Sage (Salvia dorii), Grape Soda Lupine ((Lupinus excubitus) and Giant Four O’Clocks(Mirabilis multiflors var. glandulosa) in the weeks to come. We’ve enjoyed sharing the ephemeral beauty of an exceptional bloom in Death Valley with you, and continue to wish you Happy Flower Hunting!