Desert Wildflowers Tucson - Southern AZ

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April 1, 2013 Margie reports: Catalina State Park in Tucson Mariposa Lilies and Desert Zinnia are appearing on the 50-Year and Canyon Loop Trails.

March 28 -We hiked 7 Falls Trail in Bear Canyon, Alamo Spring Trail in Tortolito Park, and Sutherland Trail in Catalina SP. All have abundant wildflowers now. Poppies at Catalina SP are not as large as last year, but still abundant. Masses of Cream Cups are still in bloom. At Alamo Spring Trail the Chuparosa, Chia, Brittlebush, Catalina Mountain Phlox, and many more are blooming.

April 1, 2013 John reports: Dust off those hiking boots, water bottle, and broad brim hat. All were spotted and enjoyed on Tucson's Lower Javelina Trail near Ritz Carlton Hotel off Tangerine Road. - brittlebush - popcorn flower - blue phacelia - chuparosa - white phlox - desert marigold - mirabilis - fiddleneck - bluedicks - chicory - spheralcea - lupine - chia - creosote bush - belly flower daisies - ocotollo - camissonia evening primrose - coursetia

March 28, 2013 Catalina State Park reports: There are at least 53 species of wildflowers in bloom at Catalina State Park.

March 28, 2013 Ursula reports: I went out Reddington Road today and this is what I saw. I followed it from the end of Tanque Verde all the way over the pass to Cascabel Rd and on to Benson. Most of what I am sharing is from the Reddington Road portion. Flowers were scarce except for the low yellow ones (can't recall the names tonight). Poppies and lupine were especially scarce but I did see a fair number of the Bluedicks (I think that is what they were)

There was evidence of a bit more poppy growth at the junction of Reddington Pass and Cascabel, just south of the junction, but they are spent and only a few stragglers remain. Interestingly, none of the trees out there have leafed out, save the Cottonwoods.

March 23, 2013 Margie reports: At least 53 species of wildflowers are blooming at Catalina State Park in Tucson, AZ. Bajada Lupine greets visitors at the Entrance Station. Pictured on the Alamo Canyon Trail are: Common Monkey Flower, Curly Bladder Mallow, Miner's Lettuce. The trail is also has hillsides of Wild Hyacinth, Phacelia, Chicory, and Mexican Gold Poppy.

March 18, 2013 Rich reports: I took this Desert Rosemallow photo at Romero Canyon in the Santa Catalinas, on 3/16/13. I only saw three of these along a three-mile stretch.

This penstemon photo was taken at Romero Canyon in the Catalinas on 3/16/13.
Only a few of these were seen along a three-mile trail.

March 15, 2013 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum reports: The wildflower bloom seems to be reaching its peak here in the Tucson Mountains. Rains were spotty this winter, but we’re seeing a little bit of everything. We counted at least 50 species of plants in bloom on a short hike in King Canyon, across from the museum. Although the plants are small, poppies, lupine, silverbells, desert chickory, and bladderpod can be seen, not to mention a veritable carpet of mustards, and borages. Perennials such as wind flower and wild hyacinth are blooming in patches along the trail, soon to be followed by desert larkspur. Desert mariposa are up, but no flower buds are showing yet. Roadsides show stripes of Mexican gold poppies and lupines and the fairy dusters are putting on quite a show.

March 15, 2013 Saguaro National Park East reports: Saguaro National Park East is best known for its shows of perennial shrubs and cacti. The first shrubs to bloom, the pink and white fairy duster, are now beginning along the Loop Drive. Scattered reports of small mustard family wildflowers including yellow bladderpod and white, endemic twistflower are coming in. Budding on the daisy-like brittlebush, indicate a great year once it warms up!

March 15, 2013 Tucson Botanical Garden reports: We can always count on a good appearance by the Mexican gold poppy, Eschscholzia mexicana. These golden flowers open and close with the sunrise and sunset. Finally, continuing with gorgeous buttery yellow blooms, the Algerita or Barberry (Berberis trifoliata) add to the Gardens’ perfume and color, heavy blooming under prickly leaves. In addition, the fruits that follow are apparently quite delicious when made into jam.

March 14, 2013 Margie reports: Catalina State Park – These are photos of the Sutherland Trail in Catalina State Park, Tucson, on March 12, 2013 The white and gold Mexican Gold Poppies greet visitors at the entrance gate. Other flowers are Blue Phacelia, fields of poppies and Cream Cups, Desert Lupine, Desert Anemone, Fiddleneck, Lacepod, fragrant Ragged Rock Flower, Twist Flower, Fairy Duster, Canaigre, Bloodweed, Desert Chicory, Red Maids, Parry Penstemon, Silverpuffs, and more. The fields of poppies are not as abundant as 2012 yet between the two sets of steps on the Sutherland Trail.

March 13, 2013 Cheyenne reports: Catalina State Park – yesterday, March 12th. It’s still a bit early – there were a few patches of poppies as well as some lupine along the Sutherland trail but not much…I could see the buds and trees were starting to bloom as well. Next week should be a great showing.

March 11, 2013 Ken reports: The sunset trail in Pichaco Peak State Park north of Tucson Az. There were small patches of Mexican poppies and some phacelia blooming but much more to come.

More Reports on Page 2

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