Desert Dandelion
Malacothrix
glabrata (Malacothrix californica)
The Desert Dandelion is a member of the Sunflower Family grows 6 to 14 inches high with 3- to 5-inch leaves, which divide into threadlike lobes. Fruit is seed-like and topped with soft bristles. In springs following wet winters, this bright wildflower will form broad, brilliant patches of gold across the sandy desert floor.
Range
Mojave, Sonoran and Great Basin deserts of southern California, much of Arizona and northern Mexico.
Habitat
Open, sandy desert washes and plains below 7,000 feet.
Flowers
Bright yellow flowers on branched stems bloom March through June. A single plant can have many flower heads, which are 1 to 1-1/2 inches wide
Photo tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function - usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
Mojave Desert Wildflowers - This book is the standard by which all other wildflower books are measured. The author, Jon Mark Stewart, has combined super photography with concise information. This book has an entire color page for each wildflower covered, with a discussion of the wildflower. 210 pages with 200 color photos. More...
What's Blooming Now - Check the Wildflower Reports
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The Desert Environment
The North American Deserts
Desert Geological Terms
