Desert Wildflowers

When many people think of the desert, they think of a barren wasteland, arid and devoid of beauty. That common misconception couldn’t be farther from the truth; the desert I live in, the northern tip of the Chihuahuan desert, is rife with beautiful blossoms, especially this time of the year. Here are a few of my favorite blooms that only contribute to beauty of this unique place:

Desert Mallow

Desert Mallow is ubiquitous with summertime in the desert for me. Many people mistake these lovely orange blossoms for weeds, as they spring up everywhere. Drought resistant with gorgeous, diminutive orange blossoms, this shrub takes well to the desert with its ability to thrive in sandy or clay like dirt.

Pecos Sunflower

I wrote about the pecos sunflower last week, as its status as a threatened species of flower is distressing. The bright yellow blooms of these flowers are a visual display of pure happiness, and their ability to bloom into late October takes the sunshine of summertime all the way to autumn.

Sacred Datura

"Sacred datura" (CC BY 2.0) by ZionNPS

As part of the poisonous nightshade family, you wouldn’t want to ingest these blooms, but you can enjoy the way the lovely ornamental flowers close in the evening and open with morning sun. Many local Native American tribes used the plant for ceremonial purposes.

Prickly Pear Flower

Blooming in red, purple, or yellow, this gorgeous blossom contradicts the usually formidable prickly pear cactus with it’s lovely, delicate flowers. The prickly pear cactus blooms from early spring to late summer with each flower eventually yielding an edible fruit.