Red to Pink to Brown Wildflowers

Red to pink spring wildflowers

NPS/CA Hoyt

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). One of the most distinctive plants in the desert. The long, wand-like stems often appear leafless and dead. But wait until it rains! The ocotillo stems turn green with a flush of new leaves. The beautiful red flowers appear March through May and are an important source of nectar for migrating hummingbirds.

Claret-cup Cactus (Echinocereus coccineus). An early-blooming cactus of the juniper-oak-woodlands. Hike the Lost Mine Trail in March through April to see this stunning cactus in bloom.

Lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla). Although the close-up makes the flowers look yellow, at a distance the flower stalks looks deep red. Lechuguilla (also known as shin dagger!) is a low- growing succulent that is an indicator plant of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) A small tree found along the edges of desert washes. In early spring (primarily March) the limbs are covered with small pink flowers that attract a spectacular number of pollinators.

Strawberry Cactus (Echinocereus stramineus). These compact, mounded cacti put on a show of brilliant pink blooms May through June. Later in the summer, the plants produce fruit the color, smell, and flavor of strawberries.

Fragrant Mimosa (Mimosa borealis). You probably won't notice this scraggly shrub until it blooms. From April through September (in response to rain) pink puffballs cover the plant.

 

Red to pink summer wildflowers

NPS/CA Hoyt

Cenizo (Leucophyllum frutescens). Three species of cenizo or barometer bush grow in the park. Leucophyllum frutescens, with it's pink flowers and soft, grey leaves is the most common. Cenizo blooms during the spring, summer, and fall, typically about a week after a good rain.

Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis). The desert willow is a prolific summer bloomer. You can't miss it in Tornillo Creek and lining dry washes and roads.

Plume Tiquilia (Tiquilia greggii). Plumed tiquilia (also known as plumed crinklemat) is a low, mounded shrub that grows in the desert--especially in limestone country. Look for it around the tunnel on the east side of the park.

Scarlet Bouvardia (Bouvardia ternifolia). Scarlet bouvardia is a summer and fall bloomer. Its long, red, tubular flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds. Look for scarlet bouvardia along trails and roads in the Chisos Mountains.

Eagle-claw Cactus (Echinocactus horizonthalonius). This little beauty is often overlooked until it blooms! The single-stemmed plants can grow to 10 inches tall. Eagle-claw cactus blooms in late spring to summer (April to July) and again during the summer monsoons of late summer and fall.

Trailing Four-o'clock (Allionia incarnata). Trailing Four-o'clock sprawls across the gravel and sand of dry washes. It blooms through the year when conditions are favorable.