Local Spring Flowers
Spring has sprung in Tucson. I have been enjoying some nice displays of desert flowers in my neighborhood. I am not a plant expert so I may have some of the specific plant names wrong but I think I'm pretty close on all of them. A few houses nearby had wonderful yards full of African Daisies. By now most of those flowers have finished their bloom.
Brittlebush grows prolifically everywhere. When it is not blooming it is an unassuming plant but when it is blooming, it is stunning. Brittlebush is a member of the sunflower family. The Desert Museum has more information on this plant: https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Brittlebush.php
This is the first year I really noticed lupine in our neighborhood. This winter's rains must have been a help.
Desert Globemallow is another regular desert flowering plant. https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Globe%20Mallow.php
Another plant with yellow flowers is the Desert Marigold. https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Desert%20Marigold.php
One plot of land just outside our neighborhood has a field of mixed flowers. The Lupine were flowering abundantly there with desert marigolds in the background.
Penstemon plants are a favorite among hummingbirds and show a tall splash of pink.
This shot of Lupine was taken in the shade and created a very blue look.
Two summers ago I took this photo of a Brittlebush flower with a Leda Ministreak butterfly on it. I don't believe I've shared the photo before but it shows the importance of wildflowers in the desert to many insects and pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. The butterfly is standing head down. The “fake” antenna at the back end of his wings are there to either scare away small would-be attackers or to trick other predators into attacking the wrong end of the butterfly. The expendable part of the wings may be torn away allowing the butterfly to escape without mortal wounds.
Enjoy the springtime bouquets in the desert.