2005-03-30: Gravel Ghost
This unique desert flower called gravel ghost or parachute plant had a cluster of leaves close to the ground and then long shoots with flowers. It grows in sandy washes and on the many alluvial fans of Death Valley.
2005-03-30: Desert Dandelion
One normally doesn't like dandelions but here on the desert they sure show as a sea of color.
2005-03-30: Desert Five Spot
These rose-pink flowers kind of shaped like a small peony open midmorning to show a dark purple blotch at the base of each of the five fragile petals (thus its name). This really was a showy desert flower!
2005-03-30: Chia
Chia (as in chia pet) is a member of the mint family though according to what we read the crushed flowers emit an odor similar to a skunk! We especially liked the purple-like globes.
2005-03-30: Desert Star
This 'belly' flower resembles a tiny daisy. We found them growing in clusters like the one shown here. They sure brightened up the desert floor.
2005-03-30: Death Valley Phacelia
Although yellow flowers dominated the hillsides, the valley floor displayed whites, blues and purples. This phacelia definitely added color to the desert.
2005-03-30: Beavertail Cactus
As we were climbing out of Death Valley we came upon an area of beavertail cactus. Many of them were in bloom, though they were not yet at the height of their season. As you can see, there are many buds just waiting to flower on this one. Even without full bloom, these brilliant magenta blooms lit up the desert floor.