Deformed Whiteflower Prairie Clover
Strange, disturbed, and monstrous deformities can occur in flowerheads or flower spikes due to genetic mutations or the disruptive effects of plant viruses. I discovered these deformed Whiteflower...
View ArticleTime to Plant Penstemon Seeds!
October is the best time of the year to plant Penstemon wildflower seeds here in southern Arizona. These native, spring-blooming wildflowers are easy to grow and are moderately drought tolerant once...
View ArticleAutumn Colors of Thurber’s Cotton
Fall foliage colors are rather scarce here in Tucson, and the best displays are those of Bigtooth Maples and Quaking Aspens in the surrounding mountains. Although collectively they don't form large...
View ArticleTurpentine Bush
A sure sign of autumn here in southern Arizona is when Turpentine Bush (Ericameria laricifolia) begins to bloom. These fall-blooming subshrubs have brilliant golden yellow flowers and dark green...
View ArticleVelvet Ash Trees in Autumn
By the end of October, very little colorful fall foliage remains in the Tucson mountains, and to find fall colors, one has to look for deciduous trees at lower elevations. In early November, I...
View ArticleHarlequinbush
After several weeks of summer monsoon rains, the grass grows tall and lush in the upland areas around Tucson, especially to the south and east. I don't much like walking through the tall, green grass...
View ArticleWildflowers or Wild Flowers
Although both are used, the more common and more correct English word for wild-growing plants with conspicuous flowers is "wildflowers" and not "wild flowers". Whoever created the online language...
View ArticleRougeplant
Rougeplant (Rivina humilis) can be found growing in moist, shady foothill canyons here in Tucson, Arizona. This native perennial or small shrub has small, pink to sometimes white flowers in slender...
View ArticleSpring Wildflower Season in Tucson
The earliest of our spring wildflowers usually begin blooming here in Tucson in mid to late February. Our spring wildflowers usually last until sometime in May when hot weather arrives. Tuber Anemone...
View ArticleBlue Grama
Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a common, native grass found not only here in southern Arizona, but also in many other arid or grassy areas of the United States as well. This perennial, warm season...
View ArticleVelvetseed Milkwort
Velvetseed Milkwort (Polygala obscura) is found in the southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, and in neighboring Mexico. Here in southeastern Arizona, this native, perennial subshrub or...
View ArticleRough Cockleburr
One of the most annoying noxious weeds found here in Arizona is the Rough Cockleburr or Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium). This native annual is usually found in washes, wetlands, disturbed areas,...
View ArticleNew Mexico Plumeseed or Desert Chicory
One of our most common spring wildflowers here in the Sonoran Desert is New Mexico Plumeseed or Desert Chicory (Rafinesquia neomexicana). Depending on the winter rains and the temperature, this annual...
View ArticleSprouting Staghorn Cholla Fruit
Even though the fruit of Staghorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia versicolor) contain seeds, a fallen Staghorn Cholla fruit also has the amazing ability to take root and form a new cactus plant all by itself...
View ArticleDoubting Mariposa Lily
One of our loveliest Arizona spring wildflowers is the graceful and delicate Doubting Mariposa Lily (Calochortus ambiguus), probably the most common and widespread Calochortus species found here....
View ArticleCommon Buttonbush
Common Buttonbush or Button Willow (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is a small, native, deciduous tree or large shrub that grows along the edges of wetlands or in riparian areas. This attractive plant is...
View ArticlePalmer's Agave or Palmer's Century Plant
Palmer's Agave or Palmer's Century Plant (Agave palmeri) is a perennial succulent native to southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico. Here in southeastern Arizona, Palmer's Agaves...
View ArticleCalifornia Poppies at Picacho Peak State Park
Depending on the weather and the amount and timing of the preceding winter's precipitation, spring wildflowers here in the Sonoran Desert can be either abundant enough to carpet the ground with color...
View ArticleCardinalflower
With its pure red flowers, Cardinalflower, Cardinal Flower, or Scarlet Lobelia (Lobelia cardinalis) is one of the most brightly colored wildflowers in North America. Cardinalflower is found growing in...
View ArticleDouble-flowered Stansbury Cliffrose
Flowers with more than the normal number of petals are known as double flowers. Roses and many other types of cultivated flowers are double-flowered, but occasionally double flowers can also occur in...
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