A Good Year for Wildflowers

March 31, 2010

The above photos were taken by Stephen Wormser on excursions to Anza-Borreego Desert State Park and to Joshua Tree National Park. Because of the winter rains, the deserts are experiencing an abundance of blooming wildflowers.

At Anza-Borregi, according to Michael Rodriques, the park's interpretive specialist, the park will have hundreds of acres of desert sunflowers, sand verbena and dune evening primroses. Brittle bush and other perennial shrubs will add color to rocky areas. Along with the visual beauty, there will also be a powerful aroma as all these flowers bloom.

In Joshua Tree, there will be cacti, small forget-me-nots and all sorts of other flowers that are not seen annually. The seeds lie dormant until sufficient rain causes them to germinate. We have not had such an opportunity to see the desert in bloom for several years.

If you would like to know more about the wildflower preserves, these five parks update wildflower reports during the viewing season.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638

Joshua Tree National Park www.nps.gov/jotr

Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627

Mojave National Preserve www.nps.gov/moja

Death Valley National Park www.nps.gov/deva

Especially Anza-Borrego and Joshua Tree are great day trips for residents in our two county Inland Empire region.