Arctostaphylos pungens (pointleaf manzanita) ( ) Ericaceae This evergreen shrub extends from the Transverse and Peninsular ranges of southern California to the mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas into northern Mexico. This species is easily recognized by its vertical leaf orientation, sharp pointed leaf tip, and shiny red bark. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

 Euphorbia micromera (desert spurge) ( ) Euphorbiaceae Our C₄ herbaceous desert flora contains 16 native species of spurge ( Euphorbia ). These prostrate or low growing annuals and herbaceous perennials that flower almost any month of the year. Most have broad ranges, extending well outside of our desert region with several non-native species also widely naturalized. One of the distinctive features of the spurges is the milky sap contained in their stems. What appears to be a single flower in spurges is instead a cup-like structure called a  cyathium  that holds a central female flower surrounded by several male flowers. The structures that look like petals are extensions of the cyathium. Desert spurge is a common prostrate annual. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Euphorbia albomarginata (rattlesnake weed) ( ) Euphorbiaceae Our C₄ herbaceous desert flora contains 16 native species of spurge ( Euphorbia ). These prostrate or low growing annuals and herbaceous perennials that flower almost any month of the year. Most have broad ranges, extending well outside of our desert region with several non-native species also widely naturalized. One of the distinctive features of the spurges is the milky sap contained in their stems. What appears to be a single flower in spurges is instead a cup-like structure called a cyathium that holds a central female flower surrounded by several male flowers. The structures that look like petals are extensions of the cyathium. Rattlesnake weed is a widespread, prostrate perennial whose common name arises from its use to treat rattlesnake bites. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Proboscidea althaeifolia (devil's claw, unicorn plant) ( ) Martyniaceae Among our showiest desert annuals, but relatively uncommon is devil's claw. This unusual member of the unicorn-plant family also utilizes C₄ metabolism and thus summer flowering. Devil's claw is a brilliant, yellow-flowered perennial. It has a sprawling growth form with large, moist, and sticky-lobed leaves. The large bilaterally symmetrical flowers, up to 1½ inch across, look like those of jacaranda and other flowers in the related bignon family ( Bignoniaceae ). It is a perennial with a stout tap root that prefers dunes. The origin of the rather sinister name devil's claw is because of the long, woody capsules, up to 3-4 inches in length, which split open at one end to form a pair of curved claws. These claws readily cling to the hooves of grazing animals, or your shoes if you are not watching where you step. Since these claws don't fit the hooves of native grazing animals, scientists have s

  Cylindropuntia fulgida ( ) ( ) Cactaceae Hikers swear that the plants reach out and grab boots and pant legs. But in fact the spines are so strong that even the slightest grip is enough to cause one segment of the plant to break away. Don't try pulling it out; it will only stick to your hand. Experienced travelers carry a comb and use it to brush the plant away in one swift, painful motion. "Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart."

  Cylindropuntia bigelovii ( ) ( ) Cactaceae Hikers swear that the plants reach out and grab boots and pant legs. But in fact the spines are so strong that even the slightest grip is enough to cause one segment of the plant to break away. Don't try pulling it out; it will only stick to your hand. Experienced travelers carry a comb and use it to brush the plant away in one swift, painful motion. "Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart."

Quercus lobata (valley oak) ( ) Fagaceae Many oak trees host species of wasps, but California's valley oak is one of the best-known and most hospitable of all the oaks. The process begins when a wasp lays an egg on an oak leaf. The plant cells start multiplying at an unusually high rate, forming a kind of protective cocoon called a gall. Eventually the egg hatches into a larva, and the gall, which can get to the size of a baseball, becomes a home to the larva and also gives in something to eat. The larvae emerge as full-grown wasps. One species of wasp causes the valley oak to form small galls that drop off the tree. The galls can jump around for a few days as the wasp inside tries to break free. earning them the name "jumping oak galls". "Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart."  

  Allionia incarnata (windmills) ( ) Nyctaginaceae Windmills is an annual or short-lived perennial with slender, glandular stems that trail along the ground. What appears to be a single, radial symmetrical magenta-colored flower are actually clusters of three bilaterally symmetrical flowers growing together. Windmills favor sandy sols in creosote bush scrub across the southern Mojave and Sonoran deserts. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Boerhavia triquetra (slender spiderling) ( ) Nyctaginaceae A family of C₄ annuals is the four-o'clock family. Although most genera of the Nyctaginaceae use typical C₃ photosynthetic systems, there are two desert genera with C₄ metabolism. The more common group is the spiderlings, with five desert species. All regional spiderling species have tiny. pale pink to white bell-shaped flowers no more than 1/8 inch in length, which may be present from September to December. Slender spiderling is the most common species. It is an erect annual, up to 2 feet in height, with sticky areas along the slender stems between nodes. It is found widely and abundantly in creosote bush and Joshua tree woodlands of the southern Mojave and Sonoran deserts. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Pectis papposa (chinchweed) ( ) Asteraceae Chinchweed, one of the few members of th e Asteraceae with C₄ metabolism. In some years, with widespread summer storms, chinchweed blooms in such numbers it paints yellow across creosote bush scrub and Joshua tree woodlands in the central and eastern Mojave deserts. Chinchweed has a low spreading or mounding growth form and small, narrow leaves with pungent, spicy-smelling glands. " California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Hesperocallis undulata (desert lily) (lirio del desierto)  Asparagaceae Our most notable geophyte is the desert lily, an unusual endemic found on sandy flats and dunes below 2.500 feet in the western and southern Mojave desert and adjacent areas of the Sonoran Desert. A good place to see this species is at the Kelso Dunes in the eastern Mojave Desert. Desert lily arises from a large bulb, with a basal rosette of bluish-green leaves, 10-20 inches in length, with a distinctive wavy margin. These rosettes are distinct all other desert geophytes. The single flowering stalk reaches anywhere from 1-6 feet in height depending on growing conditions, and beats clusters of large trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble small Easter lilies. The flowers have a strong, sweet fragrance that attracts hawk moths-the primary pollinators. Desert lily was once included in the lily family but is now placed in the Agave subfamily within the asparagus family.   "California Desert Plants, Philip J Rundel,

  Asclepias subulata (rush milkweed) ( ) Apocynaceae The milky sap of the tissues of milkweed contains toxic compounds called cardiac glycosides. Monarch butterflies that feed on these tissues sequester these toxins in their bodies, making them unpalatable to birds. In addition to milky sap, a feature of milkweed is the large pods, usually several inches in length, that split open when mature and release large numbers of wind-dispersed seeds with hairy plumes. Rush milkweed is a tall perennial, reaching up to 3 feet in height. Its common name comes from upright stems tat are leafless for most of the year. It occurs in dry washes at low elevations in the eastern Mojave and Sonoran desert.   "California Desert Plants, Philip J Rundel, Robert W Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Mentzelia involucrata (sand blazing star) ( ) Loasaceae Sand blazing star is a branched annual with large, funnel-shaped white-to pale-yellow flowers that an reach more than 2 inches in width. It has large, highly toothed basal leaves and small linear stem leaves. It occurs in a variety of habitats including creosote bush scrub and desert washes, but is most common in the southern Mojave and Sonoran deserts. "California Desert Plants, Philip J Rundel, Robert W Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Chorizanthe rigida (devi's spineflower) ( ) Polygonaceae Devil's spineflower is a smaller erect annual with broadly elliptical leaves forming a basal rosette and along the stem. Secondary leaf nodes develop into hard spines as the plant develops, giving it s thorny appearance. Devil's spineflower commonly occurs on desert pavement adjacent to creosote bush scrub in both the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Eriogonum deflexum (flat-topped buckwheat) ( ) Polygonaceae Flat-topped buckwheat is a tall annual, up to 2 feet in height. It has an erect flowering stalk arising from a basal rosette of small, kidney-shaped leaves. The tiny white-to-pink-flowers are borne in a flat-topped crown, giving rise to the common name. It occurs widely on sandy and gravelly flats of creosote bush scrub and Joshua tree woodlands. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Dithyrea californica (California spectacle-pod) ( ) Brassicaceae California spectacle-pod is a small annual whose common name comes from the appearance of its fruits with two flat rounded lobes that look like eyeglasses. Its trailing stems, that curve upward with clusters of small white flowers at their tips, are a unique growth form. California spectacle-pod is found in sandy soils and washes of creosote bush scrub across both California deserts. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Oenothera primiveris  (yellow evening primrose) ( ) Onagraceae Yellow evening primrose is a prostrate species with bright yellow flowers that might be confued at first with Camissonia . The four-parted stigma is the distinguishing trait that separates these genera. Yellow evening primrose has a basal rosette of glandular leaves that are strongly toothed to pinnately divided into broad lobes. "Califorina Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Oenothera californica (California evening primrose) ( ) Onagraceae California evening primrose is a widespread and variable perennial with a range extending across much of the coastal foothills and desert areas of California in a range of habitats. It begins life as a rosette plant but gradually elongates a peeling leafy stem that trails for 30 inches or more along the ground. The large white flowers open at night. "Califorina Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Chylismia claviformis (Brown-eyed primrose) ( ) Onagraceae Brown-eyed primrose is a variable species with flowers that range from bright yellow to white in color. This is a common species with a widespread range in sandy washes and slopes of creosote bush scrub and Joshua tree woodland, as well as widely in western North America. Brown-eyed primrose is an erect species ranging in height from just a few inches to 24 inches depending on rainfall. Its common name comes from the presence of large brown or purple spots at the base of each petal, giving the flower a dark center. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Chylismia arenaria (sand evning primrose) ( ) Onagraceae Sand evening primrose is a tall annual or bushy perennial up to more than 3 feet in height, with yellow flowers that open at dusk. This species is found in sandy washes and rocky slopes of creosote bush scrub in the Sonoran Desert. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Onagraceae The evening primroses, and related species of Onagraceae, are one of the primary food plants of the sphinx moth. Years with abundant evening primrose blooms are correlated with millions of sphinx moth larvae feeding on these plants. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Castilleja exserta (purple owl's clover) ( ) Orobanchaceae Purple owl's clover is a California grassland species that extends its range into the wester Mojave Desert. This is a showy annual species with bright magenta flowers with white or yellow markings on the petals. In wet years it often occurs in dense populations that color the landscape. Like other root parasites it appears as any other plant, with foliage indicating the presence of chlorophyll and active photosynthesis. However they supplement nutrient and carbohydrate supplies with parasitic roots that tap the below-ground tissues of other species. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Phacelia crenulata (Notch-leaved phacelia) (  ) Hydrophyllaceae There are two species of phacelia that are notable for their foul smell. Notch-leaved phacelia is an erect but little branched annual with thick and densely glandular stems. Its violet-purple flowers, with a touch of white at the petal base, highlight dark green leaves that are highly dissected into leaflets lobes with scalloped margins. The truly distinguishing feature of this plant is the unpleasant odor that has been described as a "skunk in syrup". It is widespread across creosote bush scrub up into pinyon-juniper woodlands and beyond across the western United States. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Phacelia distans (lace-leaf phacelia) ( ) Hydrophyllaceae Perhaps our most common species is lace-leaf phacelia, whose common name describes the highly dissected fern-like leaves. It displays spikes of relatively small (1⁄4-1⁄2 inch) pale blue to lavender flowers. Lace-leaf phacelia is a widespread and abundant on clayey and gravelly flats and slopes where it often blooms even in relatively dry years below the protective canopy of creosote bush. It has a broad distribution not only in our deserts but through our Mediterranean-type shrublands. "California Native Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Boraginaceae Phacelias and several related genera form one of the most familiar groups of desert annuals. Desert Phacelia species produce some of the most spectacular and colorful display in years with good rainfall, covering broad areas of flats and bajada slopes with masses of blue or purple flowers. Unlike some species of Asteraceae and Onagraceae  where a single species covers broad areas, flowering displays of pahcelias typically include multiple species. Phacelia is one of the largest genera in California, with 93 species with 34 of these in our deserts. A characteristic of the genus is the presene of dense glandular hairs on the stems and foliage. A significant number of people are sensitive to the glandular secretions of phacelia and develop a rash similar to that of poison oak. Most of our desert phacelias are erect annuals with distinctly divided basal leaflets and stem leaves that are deeply lobed. "California Native Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michae

  Astragalus Fabaceae The common names locoweed, rattleweed, and milkvetch all apply to members of the diverse genus Astragalus, with more than 2,000 species worldwide. With 94 species in California and 34 in our desert regions, it is one of the most species-rich genera in California. Although a few species of Astragalus are distinctive, most are difficult to identify without examining both flowers and fruits. Our flora includes both annual and perennial species, with most sharing a mat-like growth form and small pinnate leaflets. There are exceptions, however, with tall, relatively upright species. A characteristic feature of many species, and he source of the name rattleweed, comes from the inflated seed pods. When mature, pods rattle hen blown by the wind. The name locoweed comes from the toxic accumulation of selenium in many species that poison cattle and cause them to behave strangely when eaten. "California Native Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauf

Marina parryi (Parry dalea) ( ) Fabaceae The Parry dalea is a slender perennial herb with long hairy stems, reaching to 30 inches in height, with small, sparse, resin-dotted leaves. It is found across our low elevation deserts at elevations below 2,000 feet on rocky slopes or open washes. The small purple blue flowers are clustered in dense spikes.  "California Native Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."   

  Dalea mollis (hairy prairie clover) ( ) Fabaceae The hairy prairie clover is common in the California desert areas and it is similar to silky dalea ( Dallea mollisima ) but with leaflet margins that are entire and flat, as opposed to silky dalea which has leaflet margins that are shallowly lobed or wavy. Hairy prairie clover favor sandier and lower elevation habitats that silky dalea. Although both species are relatively uncommon in dry years, they germinate and densely cover desert flats in years with abundant rainfall and are important for the nitrogen they fix. "California Native Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Dalea mollisima (silky dalea) ( ) Fabaceae The most common herbaceous legume in the desert flora of California is silky dalea which occurs widely across our Sonoran Desert region on coarse or gravelly flats and washes of creosote bush scrub at elevations below 3,000 feet. This mat-forming species sprawls over diameters of up to 12 inches, with blue-gray pinnately compound leaves dotted with black glands and covered with fine, soft hairs. The small pea flowers are pink to white in color and produced on short dense spikes. "California Native Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  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."

 Argemone munita (chicalote) ( ) Papaveraceae Chicalote is characterized by spinier leaves than Argemone corymbosa and yellow sap. It has a broad elevation range that extends to forest habitats over the Great Basin and beyond. It has a large "fried egg" flower with white petals and clustered yellow stamens at the center. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Eschscholzia californica (California poppy) (amapola de California) Papaveraceae The most prominent of our desert poppies, and our state flower, is the familiar California poppy. California poppies occur widely over grasslands and oak woodlands throughout California but are also notably abundant in the western Mojave Desert. Their orange to yellow flowers often color the expanses of the landscape in favorable years, growing both as an annual or perennial. The Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, near Lancaster, is famous for its spring displays of poppies. Interestingly, California poppies thrive with disturbance and regular grazing promotes the dominance of this species. The odd generic name commemorates a Russian naturalist and surgeon, Dr. Johann Friedrich Gustav von Eschscholtz who first collected this California poppy near San Francsico in 1815. Somehow the "t" in his name was lost in translation. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael

Chaenactis fremontii (desert pincushion) ( ) Asteraceae A common species with white discoid flowers is desert pincushion. It is one of eight related species of pincushion in the California deserts. Most of these are annuals, although there are two species of perennial pincushion in the mountains of the eastern an northern Mojave Desert. Desert pincushion is an erect, branched annual that begins life with a basal rosette of leaves, which senesces as the stems mature and flowering begins. The smooth stems lack hairs and produce single or multiple flower heads composed entirely of disk flowers. In favorable years, desert pincushion is found blooming in massive numbers across open sandy flats of creosote bush scrub and Joshua tree woodlands. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Perityle emoryi (Emory rock daisy) ( ) Asteraceae Emory rock daisy is erect with a bristle, glandular, and hairy stem with broad palmately-lobed leaves. The flowers are typical discoid daisy flowers with a small number of white ray flowers and numerous small yellow disk flowers. Emory rock daisy is a common species across both the Mojave and Sonoran desert at elevations below about 3,000 feet where it favors rocky canyon walls and boulder washes where water collects. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Malacothrix glabrata (desert dandelion) ( ) Asteraceae One annual, capable of coloring large areas sandy flats ad washes, as well as disturbed roadsides is desert dandelion. This is the most common among a group of six desert dandelion species that share the traits of milky sap and ligulate flower heads. Desert dandelion has a rosette of basal leaves that forms early and then often becomes withered by the time that flowering occurs. Flowering stalks vary in height from a few inches to 16 inches in a year with good rains. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Baileya pauciradiata (lax flower) ( ) Asteraceae Lax flower is an annual with smaller flower heads with fewer disk flowers than desert marigold, foliage is covered by soft woolly hairs. The basal leaves of lax flower wither before the flowers reach maturity. Lax flower is limited to elevations below about 3.500 feet in the eastern Mojave and Sonoran deserts where it favors sandy soils and dunes. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Baileya multiradiata (desert marigold) ( ) Asteraceae Desert marigold is a short-lived perennial that reaches 10-20 inches in height, with white-woolly stems and gray-green pinnately-lobed leaves arrayed near the base of the plant. It extends leafless flowering stalks with large and spectacular flower heads. Desert marigold is common in sandy and rocky flats on bajada slopes of creosote bush scrub and Joshua tree woodland in the eastern Mojave Desert. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  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."

  Palafoxia arida ( ) ( ) Asteraceae Palafoxia arida var. gigantea (Spanish needle) ( ) Giant Spanish needle is a striking pink-flowered member of the sunflower family. The typical form of this species is a widespread plant in sandy places throughout the California deserts, but this large and often perennial variety reaches as much as 6 feet high-three times the height of the typical form of the species. As is the case with many dune taxa, the seeds of the giant Spanish needle will germinate and emerge from depths much greater than the non-dune variety of Spanish needle. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Helianthus niveus ( ) ( ) Asteraceae Helianthus niveus subsp. tephrodes (Algodones Dunes sunflower) ( ) Algodones Dunes sunflower is an attractive dune plant known in California only from these dunes. This silver-leafed member of the sunflower family inhabits the interior portions of the dunes at the bases along the sides of large dunes. It grows to more than 2 feet in height which is taller than its cousin Helianthus niveus subsp. canescens- widespread on dunes and low sandy places across the Sonoran Desert. Extremely tolerant of moving sand. Algodones Dunes sunflower grows rapidly to avoid being buried. Interestingly, this sunflower has two distinct seasons of flowering-one from March to May and another from October to January- when it produces bright yellow daisy-like flower heads. It has a CNPS Rare Plant Rank 1B: rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."

  Astragalus magdalenae ( ) ( ) Fabaceae Astragalus magdalenae var. peirsonii (Perison's milkvetch) ( ) One of the rare endemic plants of the dune habitats is Peirson's milkvetch, a silvery, perennial member of the pea family. It grows as tall as 2.5 feet and is notable among the many milvetch species for its small leaves. The large seeds of Perison's milkvetch (larger than any other milkvetch) are thought to be an adaptation to life as a dune plant. Large seeds have the carbohydrate resource to germinate and emerge from under several inches of sand, It has a CNPS Rare Plant Rank 1B: rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere. "California Desert Plants, Philip W Rundel, Robert J Gustafson, Michael E Kauffmann."