March 1 - Flowers in Joshua Tree National Park

Wildflower season is just beginning along the south boundary and lower elevations of Joshua Tree National Park. Currently there is a limited bloom that was initiated by winter rains and hopefully will be prolonged by more recent early spring rains. The most noticeable plant in bloom is the Bladderpod, a large yellow shrub that can be seen along the road in many areas. Down in the Pinto Basin, the Ocotillo Patch has a good display of red flowers and the end of the tall Ocotillo stalks. Along the road shoulder below Cottonwood there are some species just staring to bloom. The best way to see wildflowers at this time is to get out at the first sight of wildflower color and take a closer look. You may find as many as twenty different species in a given area.

Below is a list of wildflowers blooming in different locations in the Park.

Cottonwood:
Cuparosa, Justicia (Beleperone) californica
Forget-me-nots, Crypthanta sp.
Bladder Pod, Isomeris arborea
Desert Rock Rea, Lotus rigida
Mustards, Brassica sp.
Sweetbush, Bebbia juncea
Heron's Bill, Erodium cicutarium

South Boundary:
Chuparosa, Justicia (Beleperone) californica
Fagonia, Fagonia laevis
Heron's Bill, Erodium cicutarium
Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens
Desert Lavender, Hyptis emoryi
Paperbag Bush, Salazaria mexicana
Parry's Dalea, Marina Parryi
Desert Tobacco, Nicotiana obtusifolia
Forget-me-nots, Crypthanta sp.
Fremont's Pincushion, Chaenactis fremontii
Barrel Cactus, Ferocactus cylindraceus
Bladder Pod, Isomeris arborea
Brittlebush, Encelia farinosa
Checker Fiddlneck, Amsinckia tessellata
Creosote bush, Laraea tridentata
Desert Dandelion, Malacothrix californica (glabrata)
Desert Fir/Pygmy Cedar, Peucephyllum schottii
Ground Cherry, Physalis rassifolia
Mustards, Brassica sp.
Sweetbush, Bebbia juncea
Yellowheads, Trichoptilium incisum

North Entrance:
Heron's Bill, Erodium cicutarium
Bladder Pod, Isomeris arborea
Ground Cherry, Physalis rassifolia
Comb-burs, Pectocarya sp.

Pinto Basin:
Desert Lavender, Hyptis emoryi
Alyssum, Lepidium fremontii
Comb-burs, Pectocarya sp.
Forget-me-nots, Crypthanta sp.
Mustards, Brassica sp.

Indian Cove:
Alyssum, Lepidium fremontii
Forget-me-nots, Crypthanta sp.
Bladder Pod, Isomeris arborea

Wilson Canyon:
Comb-burs, Pectocarya, Sp.
Bladder Pod, Isomeris arborea

Queen Valley:
Joshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia