Orange to Red Wildflower Guide

Claret-cup Hedgehog (Echinocereus triglochidiatus ssp. mojavensis) has cylindrical stems that form clumps. The scarlet trumpet-shaped blossoms can put on a spectacular show. Blooms May into June.

 

Copper globemallow (Sphaeralcea angustifolia) is one of several species of this pretty coral orange (sometimes pink) flower. The best way to identify this particular one are the two short lobes on either side of the leaf base. One of the Spanish common names for this plant is Mal de Ojos, coming from the fact that it can cause irritation if touched and then those fingers run the eye. Mallow or Hibiscus Family Malvaceae. Blooms June through September.

 

Spear Globemallow (Sphaeralcea hastulata) often has a more relaxed habit than many in the genus. The smaller leaves are half as wide as they are long, triangular, sometimes pale green due to the fuzz. The rounded flowers grow in short racemes at the tip of the stems, often one blossom per node. Mallow or Hibiscus Family Malvaceae Blooms June through September.

 

Small Leaf Globemallow (Sphaeralcea parvifolia) has downy, crumpled leaves with several lobes. The clusters of coral orange flowers lift above on nearly leafless (on the upper half) stems. The flowers have five petals and develop into wagon-wheel-shaped seedpods.

 

Desert Paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa) is a parasite on various shrubs and grasses, tapping into their roots with its own. The entire plant is hairy, including the often purple leaves. The bracts are intensely bright red, the actual flower an unobtrusive green tube. Blooms April through June.

 

Narrowleaf Paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia) is a hemiparasite with terminal bright red inflorescences from which green beak-like fused petals protrude. The alternate leaves are linear, curving, and alternate along the long stems. The whole plant has fine soft hairs. Blooms June through August.

 

Mexican Gold Poppy (Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana) is not usually in this area. It may have traveled north with people. It is a native to Arizona. The bright orange four-petalled flowers are lifted on slender stems above a rosette of highly dissected leaves. Blooms April through September.

 

Arizona Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis arizonica) is a short-lived perennial with long, tall stems with fuzzy, deeply slender-lobed leaves. The watermelon red five-lobed trumpet flowers grow in one-sided inflorescences. Anthers and stamen don’t protrude from the tube very far if at all. Phlox Family Polemoniaceae. Blooms May through October.

 

Scarlet Beeblossom (Oenothera suffrutescens) forms colonies of perennial herbs. The flowers start at night, the four spoon-shaped petals starting white turning to pink or even red the next day, each lasting less than twenty-four hours.

 

Velvetweed (Oenothera curtiflora) are tall slender weeds. The lower half is covered by lanceolate leaves white the upper half has buds and flowers. The spike blooms from the bottom up with small watermelon red flowers. Be sure to look close as they have a beautiful structure including the four spoon-shaped petals. Evening Primrose Family Onagraceae Blooms June through September.

 

Warty Caltrop (Kallstroemia parviflora) is a prostrate annual herb, forming cloud-like masses of green branches and hairy, pinnately compound leaves. The late summer into fall flowers are a pretty melon orange with awl-shaped sepals. Calthrops Family Zygophyllaceae Blooms dJuly through October.

 

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