Lupinus arizonicus (Arizona lupine) ( ) Fabaceae Arizona lupine is one of the most common and conspicuous desert lupines when it blooms in sandy washes and open creosote bush scrub below 3,000 feet in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Its is particularly abundant in spring along roadsides. Although an annual, Arizona lupine is a robust plant that is typically 1-2 feet in height. Its stems and the underside of its green leaflets have long, spreading hairs. The purple flowers have a yellowish spot on each of the banners, which are the two petals that spread horizontally. "California Native Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."
Lupinus sparsiflorus (lupine) ( ) Fabaceae This annual lupine species has violet-blue, pea-like blooms with yellow spots on one petal that turns purplish-red when the flower is manipulated by bees. Lupines have finger-like leaflets which tilt to track the sun at a direct angle, thereby gaining additional solar radiation during the winter when such energy is at a premium. Some years, lupine begins to flower in January. Attractive to bumble bees and digger bees, these flowers peak in color and fragrance from mid-March through mid-April, on alluvial fans, washes, and canyons below 2,300 feet. "Arizona Highways Presents Desert Wildflowers, 1988". Direct sowing/ Scarify seed and/or soak in hot water 4-8 hours/Time of planting: autumn. "Arizona Highways Presents Desert Wildflowers, 1988".
Geraea canescens (desert suflower) ( ) Asteraceae Desert sunflower is a close relative of Encelia that can provide massive displays of yellow across the central and eastern Mojave Desert. Typically this species covers sandy flats under creosote bush scrub at elevations below about 4,000 feet. Its leaves and stems are covered with soft hairs and it displays broad radiate flower heads about ¾ inches in diameter. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann." This fuzzy-leaved, hairy-headed-sunflower reaches heights of two feet in gravelly washes and sandy flats within the lower desert areas. Its large, yellow radiate heads are both showy and aromatic, attracting both bees and hummingbird-moths. Bees that gather its nectar daily also use even-primrose pollen. Desert sunflowers tolerate some disturbance and active sand movement in dune fields below 3, 000 feet in elevation. Flowering is most obvious in early April but may extend from Janua...
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