Wildflowers of Tucson, Arizona Website Information

Update

I am currently adding more detailed descriptions to many of the wildflower species in this collection. When I do this, I check with the PLANTS National Database for the most current classification and plant names, so the scientific and/or common names of the species in this collection will be changed to reflect this. The former names will be listed as synonyms after the current names.

This website is still a work in progress, new flowers will be added each season as they are identified. There are many more species of wildflowers found in Tucson than I have examples of on my website.

Wildflowers

The wildflowers in this collection include perennial and annual herbs, shrubs, trees, cacti, vines, as well as non-native weeds. Any wild-growing plant found in the Tucson area below 5000 feet (1524 m) in elevation with distinctive or conspicuous flowers will be included. Some wildflower species can come in more that one color, and these will have multiple listings under different color sections. Non-flowering plants and those with inconspicuous flowers can be found in the "Other Plants" section.

Location

All wildflowers were photographed in or near Tucson, Arizona USA. Many were photographed in Sabino Canyon, Saguaro National Park East, and in and around the Tanque Verde Wash. Tucson is located in the southern part of the state of Arizona. Tucson has a wide variety of wildflowers due to its climate, its varied topography, habitat types, and its location in the biologically diverse Sonoran Desert. Tucson has two rainy seasons, winter and summer. Rainfall averages about 12 inches per year. Summers are hot with temperatures often over 100° F (37.8 C). Winters are generally mild with daytime highs over 60° F (15.6 C). The typical vegetation of this part of the Sonoran desert is desert scrub and it includes small, thorny, desert trees and shrubs, ocotillos, saguaros and various species of cacti. Riparian vegetation including large trees can be found in the numerous washes and canyons around Tucson.

Seasons

Southern Arizona has two major wildflower seasons each year, but wildflowers can be found at other times of the year as well depending on temperature and rainfall. Bloom times can be very erratic, with some wildflowers blooming multiple times in a particular year and others not at all.

The spring wildflower season generally runs March to May and its quality depends on the amount of rain in the preceding winter. Typical spring wildflowers are Mexican Gold Poppy, Coulter's Lupine, and Parry's Penstemon.

The summer wildflower season generally runs July to September and its start depends on the arrival of the summer monsoon rains. Typical summer wildflowers are Barrel Cactus, Arizona Caltrop, and Prickly Poppy.

Some flowers, such as Turpentine Bush and Desert Broom bloom in the fall.

About Me

I have lived here in Tucson since 1993 and continue to be amazed at the diversity of its plants and animals. I have a BS degree in molecular and cellular biology, with minors in chemistry, mathematics, and physics, and I’m currently in graduate school. In my studies, I learned more about plant cells and plant genetics than about botany, but I became fascinated by Tucson's plants when I took a class on the plants of the desert. I am currently working on a Masters degree and I enjoy spending some of my free time (what little there is) looking for wildflowers and other interesting plants.

Websites

My nature journal with photos of birds, animals, and other wildlife, along with more plant photos is The Firefly Forest. For web page backgrounds, graphics, and applescripts visit Iridia's Stuff. To explore my web maze, visit The Ice Labyrinth. Please me with any questions or comments.