Mojave Desert Wildflowers Some say that the number one reason people visit the Joshua Tree National Park is to see the wonderful desert wildflowers, making flower lovers the top user group. Whether or not this is true, the beautiful desert wildflowers surely bring many to the high desert to see the annual spectacle. Each year the timing and the extent differs greatly when it comes to the wild flower blooms. Temperature and rainfall dictate what will happen come spring. Elevation also plays a part, and the higher the elevation, the later the blooms. Generally speaking, late March and into April is when it all happens here in Joshua Tree National Park. Here are some of the more common desert flowers and a little bit of information too. The pictures speak for themselves. Thanks to Blitzo for these rad photos! Desert LilyHesperocallis undulata Located in open sandy flats and dry washes of the Pinto Basin.. "Hesperocallis" means "western beauty" in Greek. Dune PrimroseOenothera deltoides
Western JimsonweedDatura wrightii
Desert StarMonoptilon bellioides Low to the ground growing flower. Located throughout the Park in sandy/gravelly flats. These flowers close in the evening and re-open the next morning. Ghost Flower Mohavea confertiflora Located in Rocky hillsides and gravelly slopes of the Pinto Basin.
Brown-eyed PrimroseCamissonia claviformis Located in sandy washes, alluvial fans in the Pinto Basin and Indian Cove This is one of the most common and widespread of the wildflowers found in the Park. This plant is eaten by the white-lined sphinx moth, which eats all parts of this plant. Sand Blazing StarMentzelia inuolucrata Rocky hillsides in the Pinto Basin The foliage of this plant has small barbs that cling to clothing.
Fremont (Desert) PincushionChaenactis fremontii Open sandy flats in Queen Valley, Pinto Basin, and Indian Cove. This is a very common wild flower in the Park. Rattlesnake Weed (White-margin Sandmat)Chamaesyce albomarginata Low to the ground, located in the flats and washes in the Queen Valley, Pinto Basin and Indian Cove. Native Americans used the milky juice as first aid for rattlesnake bites.AmsoniaAmsonia tomentosa Located in the open flats of Queen Valley and Lost Horse Paiute Indians used the fibers to make rope, and the milky juice as a laxative.California ChicoryRafinesquia neomexicana or Rafinesquia californica Open areas of Indian Cove, Pinto Basin This is a very weed-like looking plant. Desert DandelionMalacothrix glabrata
Sandy flats and dry washes throughout the Park This is one of the most common of the roadside annuals. |
Dry washes, sandy flats and roadsides. Located throughout the Park 
Sandy washes and flats of the Pinto Basin and Indian Cove This plant contains toxins, that , when ingested, can cause these symptoms; extreme thirst, visual disturbances, nausea, fever and delirium, incoherency, and even respiratory arrest and death. (Let's party!) Cows won't even eat it! It is pollinated by the hawkmoth. 
Eriophyllum wallacei Open flats, washes, alluvials of the Queen Valley, Pinto Basin and Indian Cove. The genus means "hairy leaf." 
Cucurbita palmata Located in open flats and washes of Indian Cove, Pinto Basin. The melons are not edible but were used as soap by Native Americans. 
Baileya pleniradiata Open sandy flat and washes throughout the Park . The flower stems are leafless above the middle of the stem. 
Gravelly/rocky areas in Queen Valley, and Lost Horse. The genus was named after Domingo Castillejo, 
Dudleya saxosa Rocky areas of Queen Valley and Lost Horse Genus named after W. R. Dudley, the first botany professor of Stanford University. 
Abronia villosa 
Sandy washes in the Pinto Basin and Cottonwood. The 2-parted stigma of this flower will fold up when touched, preventing any more pollen from landing on the stigma. 
