dodder

You can see Dodder along roadsides and in areas of disturbed soil. After a hike yesterday, I noticed quite a bit of it along the road and saw that it was in bloom. Don’t let the beautiful blooms fool you, though. It’s a parasitic vine that typically kills what it takes over 🙁

cuscuta

Here’s what the vine looks like:
cuscuta

With wonderful cool temperatures (just upper 70s yesterday), I talked a friend into climbing up to Tom’s Thumb so I could check on an Arizona Queen of the Night and also see what else might be blooming this time of year. There turned out to be a great show! The most showy were the 4 O’clocks. Scarlett Four O’clock, Desert Four O’clock, Desert Wishbone and Trailing Windmills.

Click here for a slideshow of photos from yesterday.
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