Wildflower Viewing

Blooming Wildflowers
For this last wildflower report for the 2013 season, annual wildflowers remain scattered. Most prominent are the yellow flowers of Acton's brittle bush and the white flowers of dune primrose along Park Boulevard. Several shrub species, including desert senna, scrub oak, honey mesquite, and paper bag bush are in bloom. Ocotillo is in full bloom on Mastodon Peak Trail and in the Pinto Basin. Please remember that due to road construction there is no parking at the Ocotillo Patch on weekdays.

Park staff and volunteers compile their wildflower observations each week to produce a list of the wildflowers that are currently in bloom and where you can see them. You can download a pdf file of the wildflower report for April 26.

 

Ocotillo with Pinto Mountain in the background.

NPS/Julia Lynam

 

Wildflowers When and Where
The extent and timing of spring wildflower blooms in Joshua Tree National Park may vary from one year to the next. Fall and winter precipitation and spring temperatures are key environmental factors affecting the spring blooming period. Normally desert annuals germinate between September and December. Many need a good soaking rain to get started.

In addition to rains at the right time, plants also require warm-enough temperatures before flower stalks will be produced. Green-leaf rosettes may cover the ground in January; however, flower stalks wait until temperatures rise.

Wildflowers may begin blooming in the lower elevations of the Pinto Basin and along the park’s south boundary in February and at higher elevations in March and April. Desert regions above 5,000 feet may have plants blooming as late as June.