Wildflower Report -- Whats In Bloom
Cactus Blossoms During May and June

       Highway 60 east from Boyce Thompson Arboretum towards Gila County continues to offer flower color -- as of mid-May cactus blossoms have replaced spring annuals along the road towards Globe and higher elevations. Opuntia cacti (Prickly Pear, Cholla) are blooming at the Arboretum along with Arizona's State flower -- the Saguaro Blossom. During May, June, July and August Boyce Thompson Arboretum is on the summer schedule - open daily at 6:00 a.m., and closing at 3:00 O'clock sharp -- with the day's final admission taken at 2:00 so those visitors have a full hour to enjoy the gardens and trails.

Daily admission is $7.50 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12. Peak Spring color has passed, but Palo Verde trees will bloom soon throughout the main parking lot; during May visitors can still find 'camera-ready' flowerbeds surrounding the parking lot - watch for Tidy Tips, and Desert Bells near the rolling gate to the Picnic Area. The main trail through the Cactus Garden sports a rich palette of color with Desert Marigold, Parry's Penstemon and Spiderwort. Early morning visitors can find a few delicate yellow Evening Primrose. Preview an Arboretum Flower Walk:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkCV-y5TtKA

           What's Blooming This Week? check flowerbeds surrounding the parking lots at the Arboretum -- for Tidy Tips and Desert Bells. Along the main trail the Cactus Garden has the most color with Desert Marigold, Western Dayflower, and our own signature hedgehog cactus -- the Boyce Thompson Hedgehog named to honor the Arboretum's founder.
Look for these deep magenta blossoms above Ayer Lake behind the Quincho shade structure. Native wildflowers continue from the Cactus Garden uphill past Ayer Lake and on towards the Picketpost Mansion overlook. Opuntia varieties of cacti are here, and look for saguaro blossoms on the bajada below Magma Ridge. Yellow Bush Penstemon are still flowering along the High Trail. More than three dozen wildflowers are in bloom, so bring spare batteries and memory cards! The
Arboretum Wildflower Checklist includes just about all the species you can see here -- and includes their Latin names. Flowers to watch for this week:

In the CACTUS GARDEN there is Desert Marigold, lupine varietals (Coulter's, Bajada, and Silver) and Globemallow (both orange and pink varietals); Parry's Pestemon, Eaton's Penstemon, and Odora (also known as Yerba de Venado). Hedgehog cacti are just about done blooming - look for the Arboretum's own 'signature echinocereus' - the Boyce Thompson Hedgehog cactus, named to honor the founder of the garden. Near the wooden shade ramada in the cactus garden are rare Claret Cup cacti (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. Arizonicus) which were salvaged back in 2009 ahead of the highway 60 road work near Pinto Valley. If you don't see them here, watch for bright orange spots in the cliffs as you drive highway 60 towards Globe -- these native cacti occur from Devil's Canyon all the way to Pinto Valley -blooming in south-facing, rocky cliffs above the highway. Back at BTA… our Cactus Garden has one of the most interesting flowers you'll see all Spring, but you have to look carefully for them. Small, innocuous purplish, spade-shaped leaves of the Dutchman's Pipe or Southwestern Pipevine (Aristolochia watsonii) are the clue - these small, dark plants are flowering this week around the Cactus Garden. Look for the pipe-shaped flower, and watch for blue-black Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies visiting to lay their eggs on this larval host plant.

This is fun -- read why the flower is shaped like a rodent’s ear: http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2005/09/04/watsons-dutchmans-pipe/

From AYER LAKE & ABOVE Desert Aster, Hopbush, and Flattop Buckwheat are trailside as you approach Ayer Lake. The trail continues above and has patches of Yellow Monkeyflower, Silver Puffs, Desert Wishbone and Fairy Duster. Mariposa Lilies are scarce at the Arboretum; you might still find a few these in the South American collection behind and above the 'Quincho' - the large, open shade structure just above Ayer Lake. Several were blooming last week at the back end of the loop trail (nearest highway 60), along with Perezia, tall white-flowered Desert Wishbone, Blackfoot Daisies, Hopbush and poreleaf (off the Arboretum grounds Mariposa Lilies were blooming along the Silver King Mine road this week, also the dirt road to Montana Mountain, and the forest service road just east of Picketpost Mountain). Monkey flower is also a rare find - look for patches in the creek which runs below the main trail and feeds Ayer Lake; also across from the humorous "Rattlesnakes Only!" Also check along Queen Creek, once you descend the 'Switchbacks' section of trail below the Picketpost Mansion. As you descend on the "Switchbacks" below Picket Post House mansion you'll find shade and cooler temperatures once you round the bend at the hairpin turn at the bottom of the hill; April and May are the months to see Climbing Milkweed (Sarcostemma cycnanchoides) here.
And as the trail flattens out again along the shady Queen Creek riparian corridor you'll see unusually tall thickets of Blue Phacelia or 'Wild Heliotrope' (Phacelia distans) -- quite impressive here.




HIGH TRAIL: The High Trail still has thick patches of Miner's Lettuce, the one place you'll see this at BTA. Walk the High Trail just above and to the west of the suspension bridge to see many robust yellow Bush Penstemon (Keckiella antirrhinoides ssp. microphylla) offering a contrast to the more common Firecracker Penstemon (P. eatonii ); also Larkspur (Delphinium parishii), White Phlox, and abundant Wild Cucumber (Marah gilensis) vines crawling over and covering native jojoba shrubs. Watch for Perezia just beginning to bloom along this scenic trail, also prickly pear cacti with nice cream-to-gold blossoms, and lovely Ocotillo or 'Flaming Sword' blooming at the west end of the High Trail, closer to (and overlooking) the picnic area.

Preview Spring flowers with a relaxing three-minute video clip of highlights filmed around the trails a couple years back: http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/wildflowers_2005_384.wmv



HIGHWAY 60 EAST TO MIAMI, GLOBE -- Drive east towards the town of Miami and city of Globe this weekend; there are completely different flowers to see all along highway 60 and at the City of Globe's Round Mountain park (more detail on that below). Evening Primrose, Deer Vetch (Lotus rigidus) and Firecracker Penstemon are flowering in Queen Creek Canyon, six miles east of the Arboretum near milepost #229, and fragrant Buckbrush (Ceanothus gregii), Yarrow, Verbena and Gallardia are at their peak now at the Oak Flat campground turnoff. As hwy 60 descends into Devil's Canyon (milepost 232) watch for purple bladderpod, Indian paintbrush, phlox and Penstemon pseudospectabilis. There's an unusual mint-green Euphorbia blooming near this milepost, too - a plant you won't find elsewhere - watch the rock outcrops on the north side of the highway just as the road descends into Devil's Canyon.

Roadside Mexican Goldpoppies are at their photogenic peak along Highway 60 in Claypool this week (and fun to photograph with big 18-wheel copper mine trucks rumbling past in the background!). Look for Prickly Poppy, also known as Cowboy's Fried Egg, near the Chamber of Commerce office.

And hikers will find lots of variety this week in the foothills below the Apache Peaks and Pinal Mountains. Watch for Larkspur (Delphinium parishii), lovely purple-flowered Colorado Four O'Clock, freckled milkvetch (Astragalus, also known as Locoweed), Wild Carrot and broad swaths of bright little yellow Sundrops north of Globe in the shadow of the Apache Peaks mountains. Verbena and Indian Paintbrush, too; and "Antelope horns" Asclepias milkweed flowers. Sego lilies, too!.

Bluedicks can still be found at higher elevations, along with Rabbit Thorn (unusual greenish-white flowers) and Buckbrush (Ceanothus gregii) along the dirt roads leading up to popular Pinal Mountain trails such as the Toll Road, Six-shooter and Ice-House Canyon Trails. Lupines (notably Coulter's and Bajada) are
strong along these dirt roads into the Pinals. You need Pinal Mountain hiking trail maps? Call staff at the Globe Chamber of Commerce (928) 425-4495 or else the Tonto National Forest local ranger station (928) 402-6200.

Round Mountain Park Round Mountain Park, just five minutes drive from downtown Globe, is a great place to visit for unusual flowers - and this week many remain at peak inflorescence. Sleepy Catchfly is a fun plant to seek here - look for them along the East Trail, which is also the best one for vivid purple Hedgehog Cacti. Dark blue Larkspur (Delphinium parishii) are blooming along this trail, Blue Phacelia and its relative Phacelia crenulata are both vivid and also the white Mariposa ambigua. Wild Onions peaked earlier in April but you'll still find a few of them along with False Garlic, Blackfoot Daisies, Wallflower and yellow Bladderpod Mustard. How to find Round Mountain Park? Driving east, the park is a left-hand turn (north) at the Country Kitchen restaurant, if you reach the crossroads of highway 60 and 70, you went just a little too far.               

           Our High Trail is not wheelchair accessible, and is a more challenging hike - and rich rewards await the botano-phile on this path. Peak color along the high trail occurs from late March through Mid-April. Quen Creek is running strong, and this week you'll lots of green Miner's Lettuce and also healthy growth of the yellow Bush Penstemon (Keckiella antirrhinoides ssp. microphylla) found near the east end of this trail - above the suspension bridge. Those will flower later this Spring, along with White Phlox which can be found along the middle of this trail, and patches of Betony or Red Mint (Stachys coccinea) downhill as you walk down the carved-into-rock steps, approximately across from the main trail's marker #42 and olive grove. As you reach the east end of the High Trail you can't miss the impressive Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), a native plant which may hold the record in the Most Nicknames category with other monikers including "Flaming Sword," "candlewood," "slimwood," "coachwhip," Jacob's staff," and "Vine Cactus."

           Every visitor should make a point of seeing the Demonstration Garden, a collection with packed-earth paths that are flat and particularly suitable for wheelchairs and walkers. Convenient nearby parking is nearby at the picnic ground, too; request that when you arrive. Spring in the Demonstration Garden means dozens of species are in bloom, both native and exotic. The Hummingbird-Butterfly Garden is a short walk downhill from the Visitor Center and also near the picnic area parking lot, and has color flowers including Turk's cap, aloe and Mexican sage plants to attract pollinators.          

         If your time is limited and flowers are the one and only goal of your visit, head directly to the Demonstration Garden immediately when you arrive at the Arboretum. Mesa plein air painter Burdell Moody describes the Demonstration Garden as "a Monet gardenscape come to life." Request picnic area parking when you arrive at the Arboretum, and you can park conveniently in our lower parking lot. The Demonstration Garden has abundant color, packed earth paths that are wide, flat and easily negotiated by wheelchair or walker. There are numerous places to stop, sit and enjoy the colors. Do you have a relative or housebound neighbor who seldom gets outside to enjoy Spring flowers due to a disability or trouble walking? Plan a picnic this week and accompany your friend or relative on a leisurely excursion through the Demonstration Garden.

Demonstration Garden Flowers

Acacia rigidula Blackbrush Acacia
Aloe claviflora hybrid
Aloe commutata hybrid
Aloe elegans
Aloe striata Coral Aloe
Aloe striata hybrid Coral Aloe Hybrid
Aloe variegata Partridge Breast Aloe
Aloe x 'Blue Elf' Blue Elf Aloe
Alyogyne hueglii Blue Hibiscus
Aquilegia chrysantha Golden Columbine
Aster filifolius South African Bush Aster
Baileya multiradiata Desert Marigold
Berlandiera lyrata Chocolate Flower
Bulbine frutescens Orange & Yellow Bulbine
Calliandra californica Baja Fairy Duster
Calliandra eriophylla Fairy Duster
Calylophus hartwegii Sierra Sundrops
Cercis canadensis var. mexicana Mexican Redbud
Cistus incanus
Cistus x corbariensis White Rockrose
Cistus x purpureus Purple Rockrose
Cylindrophyllum speciosum Red Spike Ice Plant
Dicliptera resupinata Arizona Foldwing
Dimorphotheca sinuata African Daisy
Drosanthemum floribundum Dew Plant
Dyssodia pentachaeta Golden Dyssodia
Echinocereus Boycethompsonii Boyce Thompson Hedgehog
Echinopsis 'Epic'
Encelia farinosa Brittle Bush
Eremophila 'valentine' Valentine Emu Bush
Eremophila decipiens
Eremophila maculata Spotted Emu Bush
Erigeron divergens Fleabane Daisy
Erigeron karvaskianus Santa Barbara Daisy
Eriogonum fasiculatum Flat-topped Buckwheat
Escholtzia californica California Poppy
Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'rosea' White Iron Bark
Euphorbia rigida Golden Spurge
Euryops pectinatus viridus Euryops Daisy
Ferocactus pilosus Red-spined Barrel
Gaillardia pulchella Indian Blanket
Gazania 'Copper King' Copper King Gazania
Gazania 'Sun Gold' Sun Gold Gazania
Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina Jessamine
Herita chirifolia Sun Daisy
Isomeris arboreus Bladderpod
Jasminum polyanthum Pink Jasmine
Justicia californica Chuparosa
Justicia candicans Red Justicia
Justicia jujuyensis Mexican Honeysuckle
Justicia sonorae Sonoran Justicia
Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek'
Lavandula multifida. Fern-leaf Lavender
Lavatera maritima Tree Mallow
Layia platygosa Tidy Tips
Limonium perezii Sea Lavender
Linaria maroccana Moroccan Toadflax
Linum grandiflora var. rubrum Red Flax
Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet Honeysuckle
Malephora crocea Croceum Ice Plant
Malephora lutea Rocky Pt. Ice Plant
Nemophila maculata Five Spot
Nemophila meinzies Baby Blue Eyes
Oenothera speciosa Mexican Primrose
Opuntia basilaris Beaver Tail Cactus
Osteomeles ecklonis
Osteomeles fruticosa Trailing African Daisy
Oxalis crassipes Pink Wood Sorel
Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup
Penstemon eatonii Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon fendleri Fendler's Penstemon
Penstemon parryi Parry's Penstemon
Penstemon superbus Superb Penstemon
Penstemon triflorus Hill Country Penstemon
Phacelia californica California Blue Bells
Psilostrophe tagetina Paper Flower
Rhus ovata Sugar Bush
Rosa banksiae Lady Bank's Rose (white & yellow)
Rosmarinus officinalis 'prostratus' Prostrate Rosemary
Russelia equisetiformis Coral Fountain
Salvia clevlandii Blue Sage
Salvia farniacea Mealycup Sage
Salvia greggii Autumn Sage (various colors)
Senna (Cassia) artemisioides Feathery Cassia
Senna (Cassia) phyllodinea Silver Cassia
Sophora secundiflora Mescal Bean, Texas Mtn. Laurel
Spharalcea ambigua Globe Mallow (Orange & Pink)
Stachys coccinea Betony
Tetraneuris acaulis Angelita Daisy
Teucrium fruticans 'Azureum' Bush Germander
Verbena goodingii Goodings Verbena
Verbena pulchella gracilior Moss Verbena
Yucca rigida Blue Yucca

DRIVING WEST ON HWY 60 (approaching from Globe-Miami)

    After visiting the Arboretum drive East along highway 60 another six miles up and through Queen Creek Canyon, a particularly scenic stretch of highway that lies between Superior and the Oak Flat campground of the Tonto National Forest. Care to learn more about this highway? Visit the website

http://www.arizonascenicroads.com

   ...and then click the "Phoenix and Central" link to access the "Gila-Pinal Scenic Road" link. It's a website worth visiting, with photos of the rock formations and scenery along this singular stretch of road. Its easy to be distracted by the towering hoodoos and eroded rock formations in Queen Creek Canyon and Devil's canyon, but look along the roadsides for patches of deer vetch and firecracker penstemon on the north side of the road at the base of the cliffs. January and February rains recharged the waterfall above mile marker #229, just uphill and east of the Queen Creek tunnel. This four-story waterfall is well worth looking for as you drive past. The waterfall is a popular spot for rock climbing, and accessible, too. To get there park at the roadside pullout just below and west of the waterfall. Look for the "50 MPH" sign and walk outside of the guardrail about 150 yards uphill and to the waterfall. You'll probably see rock climbers' cars parked here; Queen Creek Canyon is among the best spots in Arizona for bouldering. While you're walking look for deer vetch (Lotus rigidus), firecracker penstemon (Penstemon eatonii), pepper grass (Lepidium lasiocarpum), rhyolite bush (Crossosoma bigelovii) and wild heliotrope (Phacelia distans). Seven-foot tall tree tobacco plants are found at the west entrance to the Queen Creek Tunnel, their yellow tube-shaped flowers are favored by hummingbirds

         During April look for deer vetch, tufted evening primrose and firecracker penstemon all adding their accents of color to the roadside as you drive uphill through Queen Creek Canyon just five miles east of the arboretum. Verbena patches are stronger this week near the Oak Flat campground.

         No wildflower drive would be complete without thick patches of photogenic poppies, so keep driving. Even during drought years robust patches of Mexican goldpoppies are easily found blooming through cracks in the sidewalk pavement and along the highway near mileposts 244-246, most vibrant of all near the Phelps-Dodge Rod Plant just East of Miami as you drive through the small community of Claypool. Robust patches of goldpoppies are vivid right along highway 60 in Miami, Claypool and Globe.

        Hike the excellent trails of Globe's Round Mountain Park during April for wallflower, desert onion, sego lilies and hedgehog cacti all at their peak.

        During March manzanita shrubs can still be found with blossoms in Pinal Mountain foothills -- watch for red-trunked short trees with pink and white flower clusters. Pretty purple-and-white flowers on Astragalus (freckled milkvetch) can also be photographed in the lower Pinal foothills during early March. During late April and May look for the globe-shaped "Antelope Horns" variety of milkweed. It only takes about two hours from the East Valley to reach the Pinal Mountains near Globe. Accessible hiking trails in this range include the Ice House Canyon, Six-Shooter Canyon and the Kellner Trails. The Pinals are also a prime place to find spring migrant birds (Painted Redstarts returned in April, Red-faced Warblers have usually returned by May). The Pinals offer great ponderosa/spruce fir forest birdwatching. Grace's Warbler, Bridled Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Hairy Woodpecker, and Cooper's Hawk can often be found in May along the road to Pioneer Pass. Pinal Mountain trail maps are available from the Tonto National Forest Globe Ranger Station; call 928-425-7189; check out www.globemiamichamber.com or else call the Globe Chamber of Commerce at 800-804-5623 for information about the Pinal Mountains.

        For the most comprehensive and frequently updated list of wildflower reports from around Arizona visit the Desert Botanical Garden website. Please bookmark this page and return here throughout the spring as we keep it updated weekly each Spring while Spring color continues.