The Desert Wildflowers that Color the Colorado Desert

Among other things, Anza Borrego Desert (State Park) in California is known for its desert wildflowers in spring. Knowing it was not a good year in terms of rainfall received, we still made that trip that side two springs ago. I just hoped I’d see some of those flowers, at least. I didn’t get to see the carpets of wildflowers I would have seen had I gone there during a super bloom but I was happy to see what I got to see at the Desert Garden beside the park’s visitor center.

If you were to ever visit the California’s Desert Region and happen to go by Anza Borrego, I recommend you visit this garden to see the flora of the Colorado Desert.

The Desert Wildflowers of Anza Borrego

It might not a very large garden but there’s quite a lot you’ll learn here. Not only did I get introduced to some desert wildflowers, I got to gaze at a vivid picture of desert plants that are showcased at the Desert Garden.

Here’s a quick look at what you might see if you visited this garden in spring —

Now I know what Wolf’s Cholla, Brittlebush, Ocotillo and Beavertail Cactusus look like and how pretty their flowers are.

More: Vegetation of the Colorado Desert

The Desert Garden also showed me plants like the Diamond Cholla, Desert Lavender (not in the pictures), Spiny Senna and Desert Agave.

Linking to —
Pictorial Tuesday
My Corner of the World

Also linking to
Thursday Tree Love

Elephant Tree

At the Desert Garden in Anza Borrego Desert, I also got to learn about the Elephant Tree (Bursera microphylla).

These trees — I understand — can be seen in the desert areas of the American Southwest and its adjacent parts in Mexico. The tree was not elephantine in size. It fact it was on the shorter side but the branches sure seemed to remind me of an elephant’s legs and trunk. And they seemed to branch out right from the bottom! This tree that grows and thrives in this rocky-desert soil is also known for its ability to store water in its branches.

I also learnt that the tree in the picture is supposed to be a female elephant tree. (My reading tells me that male and female trees produce different types of flowers. The female flowers are made of 3 petals while the male ones have 4-5 of them. Unfortunately, there were no flowers on that tree when I visited.)

If you have more information about this tree, feel free to share in the comments. 🙂

You might also like —
Anza Borrego Desert and its Unpolished Allure
The park’s official site

More spring trip ideas —

Where to see Almond Blossoms
Where to see Cherry Blossoms
Where to see California Poppies
Where to see Tulips — Wilhelmina Tulip Garden in San Francisco
(+ Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Oregon)

For fun stuff from the road, Like/Follow Tipsy From The TRIP on  Facebook or Instagram
Come, Trip with us.  😉