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sand verbena, Anza-Borrego Desert

Arthur Luehrmann, Kerstin and Leonard Trawick among the Sand Verbena, Anza-Borrego Desert. A lady volunteer at the visitor's center told us where we could go to see the most wildflowers, so we followed her advice and went to the Coyote Creek and towards Ocotillo Flats. She said the main bloom is usually in late March, but that area was already in bloom. Boy, was she right! Magenta sand verbena carpeted much of the ground, giving way to drifts of white Datura with occasional Dune Sunflowers looking like gorgeous Black-Eyed Susans, and Desert Sunflowers, with more yellow petals and orange centers. We also saw the tiny Purplemat and purple Arizona Lupine. Among the flowering bushes we saw (and smelled) Desert Lavender, the rose Chuparosa (the Butterfly Bush), and the Indigo Bush. Outshining everyone was the Brittlebush with its fireworks of yellow flowers held high above light blue-green foliage and the giant flower stalks sent up by the yuccas.