The beauty of nature is on full display when the wild flowers bloom and literally transform the landscape into a work of art and wonder. They say April showers brings May flowers, and that old saying is true. Seasonal monsoons can transform a seemingly lifeless arid waste land into a scenic display.
All flowers are wild flowers, but wild flowers exists because the place their exist is where they are best suited and adapted to grow and thrive. Such is nature.
After rains, flower blooms will turn a drive into an adventure, and a hike will become a magical journey. They come in all shapes and colors including deep purples, reds, yellows and blues. A great place to start a journey into colorful and vibrant flowers is to visit the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve which features California Poppy and Owls Clover. On appearances, you would think that these acres are seeded or maintained, however, the reserve is not not watered or maintained in this Mojave Desert grassland.
Of course, for the more adventurous, pick an personally unexplored road, take a drive and search from something new.
Good Luck and Happy Hunting.
 Arizona Thistle ( Cirsium arizonicum )Arizona Thistle ( Cirsium arizonicum ) is a member of the sunflower family and common across the south west. The thistle has a two year… |
 California Goldfields ( Lasthenia californica )Lasthenia californica, commonly known as California goldfields, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is native to California and is particularly… |
 California Poppy ( Eschscholzia californica )The California Poppy the state flower of California. As the name implies, the California Poppy is that state flower of California. However, this little flower… |
 California Wild Rose (Rosa californica)California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) found around Convict Lake, California The California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) is a native species of Rose, which is found… |
 Chicalote (Argemone munita)Chicalote (Argemone munita) A species of prickly poppy, Chicalote (Argemone munita) is also known as the flatbud prickly poppy. A native of California, the Chicalote… |
 Common Fiddleneck ( Amsinckia intermedia )The Common Fiddleneck ( Amsinckia intermedia ) is a wildflower common across the United States and a member of the forget-me-not-family. Also known as the… |
 Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata)Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata) Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata), also known as Coyote Gourd, is a flowering plant common in the desert southwest and known to… |
 Davy Gilia (Gilia latiflora)A Davey Gilia stalk poking up between the California Poppies in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. Davy Gilia (Gilia latiflora) also known as Hollyleaf gilia… |
 Desert Dandelion ( Malocothryx glabrata )The Desert Dandelion, also commonly known as Smooth Desertdandelion, is a striking annual wildflower native to the arid regions of western North America. It belongs… |
 Desert Five-Spot (Eremalche rotundifolia)The Desert Five-Spot (Eremalche rotundifolia) is a striking annual wildflower commonly observed in Death Valley National Park, particularly during favorable bloom years following sufficient winter… |
 Desert Gold Poppy (Eschscholzia glyptosperma)The Desert Gold Poppy, also known as the Desert Golden Poppy or Mojave Poppy, is a striking annual wildflower native to the arid regions of… |
 Desert Marigolds (Baileya multiradiata)Desert Marigolds photographed near the Old Mojave Road. Biological Report: Desert Marigold Scientific Taxonomy Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order:… |
 Desert Primrose (Oenothera deltoides)Desert Primrose photographed in Anza Burego, CA Classification (Taxonomy) Oenothera deltoides belongs to the evening primrose family and is classified as follows (using a combination… |
 Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)Fremont's Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) is a small delicate looking flowering plant commonly commonly found in the southwestern United States including Nevada, Arizona and California. The… |
 Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) The Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is a perennial herb and orange wildflower which is commonly found in Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona. This… |
 Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)The Giant Red Indian Paintbrush or Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is a wildflower and perennial which is quite common in the western United States, including… |
 Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia )Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia ) A member of the sunflower family, the Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia ) boasts a delicate lavender flower in the harsh… |
 Notch-leaved phacelia ( phacelia crenulata )Notch-leaved phacelia ( phacelia crenulata ) is a lovely little purple wild flower which grows across the desert southwest from California to Texas. The plant… |
 Owl’s Clover (Castilleja exserta)Owls Clover (Castilleja exserta) is a small flowering plant which can grow about 1 foot tall. The Owl's Clover is a native plant to… |
 Palmers Penstemon ( penstemon palmeri )In the spring on 2020 I was photographing along the Morning Star Mine Road, we happened upon Palmers Penstemon ( penstemon palmeri ). This species… |
 Pebble Pincusion (Chaenactis carphoclinia)Scientific Name: Chaenactis carphoclinia A. Gray (primarily var. carphoclinia in Death Valley and most of its range) Pebble Pincusion (Chaenactis carphoclinia) Found near Ashford Mill,… |
 Purple Sand Verbena (Abronia angustifolia Greene)Purple Sand Verbena (Abronia angustifolia Greene) is a member of the four o’clock family (Nyctaginaceae) and a distinctive annual (occasionally perennial) wildflower adapted to arid… |
 Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) is a fairly common vibrant purple wild flower and is common in much of Western North America… |
 Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea)Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) in Big Bear, California The Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) is a rather rare and unique member of the plant community. The… |
 Spreading Phlox ( Phlox diffusa )Spreading Phlox ( Phlox diffusa ) is a perennial shrub with small needle like leaves. This is a small white flowering plant prefers alpine, sub-alpine… |
 Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatium)A member of the mustard family, the Western Wallflower ( Erysimum capitatium ) is a brightly colored yellow flower which is quite common across the… |
 White Tidy Tips (Layia glandulosa)The White Tidy Tips (Layia glandulosa), also known as whitedaisy tidytips or white layia, is a charming annual wildflower in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) native… |