'Tis the season

The Sonoran desert's wildflower season is just out of the starting gate. My previous post mentioned one of the wildflower hotspots in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Another is along the trails on the southeastern aspect of Granite Mountain in the northeastern preserve. I scouted the area yesterday and see promise for a good season here as well. I also found a new taxon for the preserve's flora. The bad news is that it's a non-native (but then I'm of primarily British heritage myself so can't complain too much).

I returned to the trailhead along Powerline Road #2 underneath a power line from the Cholla generating station and once again encountered a phenomenon peculiar to plants under powerlines. One creosote bush had three (maybe four) of the astonishing number of insect species (sixteen!) that produce galls on creosote bushes. As I was using my hands to arrange the galls, I was hit with repeated static shocks from the induced current generated by the electromagnetic field of the 345kV lines above us.

Posted on February 25, 2017 12:44 AM by stevejones stevejones

Observations

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What

Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:20 AM MST

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Christmas Cholla (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:25 AM MST

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Crucifixion Thorn (Canotia holacantha)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:27 AM MST

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Mesquite Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:26 AM MST

Description

Host: Acacia Senegalia greggii

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Desert Lavender (Condea emoryi)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:47 AM MST

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Slender Janusia (Janusia gracilis)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:50 AM MST

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Common Mediterranean Grass (Schismus barbatus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:52 AM MST

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House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:18 AM MST

Description

Eating a Lycium exsertum flower.

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Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:21 AM MST

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Fiddlenecks (Genus Amsinckia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:24 AM MST

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Whitethorn Acacia (Vachellia constricta)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:24 AM MST

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Arizona Desert-Thorn (Lycium exsertum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:26 AM MST

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Little-leaved Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:29 AM MST

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Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:31 AM MST

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Common Eucrypta (Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:39 AM MST

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Arizona Desert-Thorn (Lycium exsertum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:53 AM MST

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Redstem Stork's-Bill (Erodium cicutarium)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:55 AM MST

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Slender Janusia (Janusia gracilis)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:57 AM MST

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Arizona Popcornflower (Plagiobothrys arizonicus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 09:58 AM MST

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Chia (Salvia columbariae)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:01 AM MST

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What

California Mustard (Caulanthus lasiophyllus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:03 AM MST

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Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:13 AM MST

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Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:15 AM MST

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Palmer's Indian Mallow (Abutilon palmeri)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:16 AM MST

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What

Pelotazo (Abutilon incanum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:17 AM MST

Description

With A. palmeri. Detail photos were out of focus.

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Big Bursage (Ambrosia ambrosioides)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:17 AM MST

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Teddybear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:21 AM MST

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Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:23 AM MST

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Pink Fairy-Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:27 AM MST

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Western Tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:40 AM MST

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California Primrose (Eulobus californicus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:41 AM MST

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Coulter's Lupine (Lupinus sparsiflorus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:42 AM MST

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California Mustard (Caulanthus lasiophyllus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:46 AM MST

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Western Tansymustard (Descurainia pinnata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:46 AM MST

Description

New to the MSP flora; native of Eurasia.

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What

Lesser Yellowthroat Gilia (Gilia flavocincta ssp. flavocincta)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:56 AM MST

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Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:01 AM MST

Description

Burl

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Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:07 AM MST

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Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:09 AM MST

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What

California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:12 AM MST

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Parish's Threeawn (Aristida purpurea var. parishii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:14 AM MST

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California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:16 AM MST

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Virginia Pepperweed (Lepidium virginicum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 10:35 AM MST

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What

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:03 AM MST

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Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:03 AM MST

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What

Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:09 AM MST

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Spiny Hackberry (Celtis pallida)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:10 AM MST

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Few-flowered Bluedicks (Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. pauciflorus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:13 AM MST

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Coastal Bird's-foot Trefoil (Acmispon maritimus var. brevivexillus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:14 AM MST

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Chuparosa (Justicia californica)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:16 AM MST

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Shrubby Deervetch (Acmispon rigidus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:21 AM MST

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Narrowleaf Silverbush (Ditaxis lanceolata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:22 AM MST

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Strigose Lotus (Acmispon strigosus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:24 AM MST

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What

Strigose Lotus (Acmispon strigosus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:24 AM MST

Description

Above; Acmispon maritimus brevivexillus below.

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Tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:27 AM MST

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Mexican Poppy (Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:30 AM MST

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Distant Phacelia (Phacelia distans)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:35 AM MST

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Pink Fairy-Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:35 AM MST

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What

Teddybear Cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:37 AM MST

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Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:38 AM MST

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Spiny Hackberry (Celtis pallida)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:38 AM MST

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What

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:39 AM MST

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Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:40 AM MST

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Parish's Goldeneye (Bahiopsis parishii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:42 AM MST

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Eastern Mojave Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:43 AM MST

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Few-flowered Bluedicks (Dipterostemon capitatus ssp. pauciflorus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:45 AM MST

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Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:48 AM MST

Description

Backlit unfortunately

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Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:51 AM MST

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What

Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:51 AM MST

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Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:55 AM MST

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Texas Stork's Bill (Erodium texanum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:56 AM MST

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Red-gland Spurge (Euphorbia melanadenia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:57 AM MST

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Poverty Three-Awn (Aristida divaricata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 11:58 AM MST

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Parish's Threeawn (Aristida purpurea var. parishii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:02 PM MST

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Arizona Cottonrose (Logfia arizonica)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:02 PM MST

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What

Bajada Lupine (Lupinus concinnus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:03 PM MST

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What

Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:04 PM MST

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What

Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:12 PM MST

Description

This plant is underneath the 69kV power line to the Cholla generating station. Every time I touched the plant I received a shock from the induced charge in the plant. It also had at least three kinds of gall.

Photos / Sounds

What

Engelmann's Pricklypear (Opuntia engelmannii)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:07 PM MST

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:07 PM MST

Description

Wall of yuccas

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What

Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:08 PM MST

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What

Turpentine Bush (Ericameria laricifolia)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:08 PM MST

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What

Arizona Popcornflower (Plagiobothrys arizonicus)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:10 PM MST

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What

Creosote Cone Gall Midge (Asphondylia rosetta)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:13 PM MST

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What

Large Creosote Gall Midge (Asphondylia auripila)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:14 PM MST

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What

Creosote Leafy Bud Gall Midge (Asphondylia foliosa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:13 PM MST

Description

With exit hole. The object below looks to be a gall on a leaf; Asphondylia florea has a similar appearance but is associated with flowers and fruit, not leaves as here.

Tags

Photos / Sounds

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:14 PM MST

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What

Buckhorn Cholla (Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:16 PM MST

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What

New Mexico Thistle (Cirsium neomexicanum)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:18 PM MST

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What

Bush Muhly (Muhlenbergia porteri)

Observer

stevejones

Date

February 23, 2017 12:21 PM MST

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Comments

I've never been to the preserve. I'm tempted to check it out tomorrow!
Would you ever be open to tag-alongs (but not the cookies) on your walks? I'd love the opportunity to be out with someone who knows what they're looking at.

Posted by marissa-b about 7 years ago

By all means, check it out tomorrow - any trailhead will do! I've got this hike to lead tomorrow (and sorry to say it's full or I'd invite you). There's this walk in April but the last one had 51 participants. Avoid it at all costs. If I could have I'd rather have had 3 walks with 17 apiece, but that's asking a lot of the folks who organize and assist.

But I'm always up for a day out. I've got field work most days for the next two weeks, but one big project scheduled for the last weeks in March (March 13 and beyond) was just postponed. Pick a day (except March 22) and I'll be happy to meet up with you. Either of these trails would be great, but I'm open to other locations, in the MSP or out.

Posted by stevejones about 7 years ago

Ew, 51 person walks? Sounds like a nightmare.
Mid-March coincides with my spring break. I'll keep an eye on where the flowers are happening - although that might also be a good time to retry the MSP. Went this AM and was frustrated by the sheer number of people!

Posted by marissa-b about 7 years ago

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