Cascabel Hermitage Association Education Program

Flower Walk, Hot Springs Canyon, March 2001

This flower identification seminar was organized by Pearl Mast and David Omick, and was led by Professor Steve McLaughlin, a botanist for the University of Arizona Arid Lands Program. Many thanks to Professor McLaughlin for a highly informative seminar.

Left, below, the group assembled at the Hot Springs Canyon Windmill Kiosk; at right, the walk begins on a slope just above David and Pearl's Canyon house:

Left, below: folks stand amazed at one stand of our desert flower crop; middle: continuing up various slopes in HSC. On the right, Professor McLaughlin (far right) with Lisa Smith and Tim Frankenberger:

Below, left, Dr. McLaughlin discussing plant identification with seminar members.

On this day, the fields were full of flowers of various kinds. Below is a list of some of the families and genera seen in flower today, compiled by members of Saguaro Juniper Corporation:

Apiaceae
Bowlesia sp. 
Daucus sp. (wild carrot)

Asteraceae
Baileya multiradiata (desert marigold)
Cirsium spp. (2 thistles with spring growth - not flowering yet)
Eriophyllum sp. (woolly daisy)
Malacothrix sp. (desert dandelion)
Stephanomeria sp. (desert straw - should be in flower soon)

Boraginaceae
Amsinckia sp.  (fiddleneck)
Cryptantha spp. (2 species)
Lappula sp.
Pectocarya sp.

Brassicaceae
Caulanthus sp.
Descurainia sp. (tansy mustard)
Draba sp. (peppergrass)
Lesquerella purpurea (purple bladderpod)
Lesquerella sp.  (2 different bladderpods)
xSisymbrium irio (london rocket)
Thysanocarpus sp. (lacepod)
Lepidium sp.

Fumariaceae
Corydalis aurea

Geraniaceae
xErodium cicutarium

Hydrophyllaceae
Phacelia spp. (2)
Eucrypta sp.

Fabaceae
Astragalus sp. (locoweed)
Lotus spp. (2) 
Lupinus spp. (2)

Lamiaceae
Salvia columbariae (chia)

Loasaceae
Mentzelia sp. (stickleaf)

Malvaceae
Sphaeralcea sp. (globe mallow)

Onagraceae
Camissonia spp.  (5 suncups)
Oenothera sp. (evening primrose)

Orobanchaceae
Castilleja exserta (= old Orthocarpus purpurescens) Purple Owl's-clover

Papaveraceae
Eschscholzia californica subsp. mexicana (California poppy)

Phrymaceae
Mimulus spp.  (2 monkey flowers)

Poaceae
xBromus (rubens?)  red brome
Poa sp.
xSchizmus arabicus (Mediterranean grass)
Vulpia sp.

Polemoniaceae
Gilia spp. (2)
Linanthus sp.

Polygonaceae
Rumex spp. (2)

Portulacaceae
Calandrinia ?

Primulaceae
Androsace sp.

Ranunculaceae
Anemone tuberosa

Non-angiosperms also seen today:

a fern -- Astrolepis?

a gymnosperm -- Ephedraceae  Ephedra sp. (Mormon tea, joint fir)

SJ Wildflowers

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