This teeny tiny plant was a challenge to identify but I’m fairly sure it’s Pringle’s Woollyleaf (Eriophyllum pringlei). Another member of the sunflower family, each plant is only about 1/16 to 1/4 in wide so I would guess that most people step on it before they realize it’s a flower.
Tag Archives: desert wildflowers
Lacepod
The seed pods of Fringepod/Lacepod (Thysanocarpus curvipes) are much more interesting than the flowers. They’re green to begin with and then change colors as they dry out.
pollen collector
This ant-like beetle is working hard collecting pollen from a Desert Chicory.
Follow-up…In looking at my other photos and trying to identify this beetle, I realized that he wasn’t collecting pollen. He was eating the plant and getting covered with pollen in the process!
Lupine
Wildflowers are still hanging on! Yesterday I concentrated on Lupine.
Wild Carrot
Leaves smell like carrots when crushed and roots are edible. (Daucus pusillus?)
Poppy with Gilia
Back out to the poppies yesterday morning with my friend Mary Ann. Like me, she hadn’t shot poppies in our area since film! It was an excellent morning 🙂
Poppies at Bartlett Lake
White and yellow poppies are surprisingly still out in force. My lensbaby is working overtime 🙂
Encelia farinosa
Encelia farinosa is out in force in the McDowell Mountains and everywhere else too. Interesting clouds also caught my eye.
Nightshade
I’m fairly sure this is Silverleaf Nettle also known as White horse-nettle (Solanum elaeagnifolium). The beautiful purple flowers caught my eye as I was driving out to Bartlett Lake yesterday. It produces little yellow/orange fruits that look like tiny cherry tomatoes but don’t eat them!
Desert Wishbone Bush
The Desert Wishbone Bush (Mirabilis laevis) was named for the appearance of wishbones where the stems branch. The size of this plant and the wide distribution is an indication of what a special spring we’re having!
