^{(Photograph = Cylindropuntia echinocarpa, Nancy Hussey)}

Introduction

The Mojave Desert stretches from northwestern Arizona to the Salton Sea and north to Death Valley and beyond. The desert even brushes the southwest corner of Utah. Of the various desert regions in the United Sates, the Mojave Desert receives the least rainfall. Some areas average 5 inches of rain per year or less.

The Details

In years with plentiful winter or spring rains, the desert bursts alive by the beginning of April. For a month or more, the desert is electrified by the colors of the rainbow.

The various cactus and succulent species bloom profusely and it is important the do so because it might be a few years before there is another good season. Lots of winter rain made this year a good year for flowers.

The various cactus and succulent genera: Cylindropuntia, Echinocereus, Echinocacatus, Ferocactus, Escobaria, Sclerocactus, Mammillaria, Opuntia, and Yucca all put forth their magenta, purple, chartreus, orange, salmon, red, and bicolored flowers. Even Agave plants high in the mountains have a bountiful year as well as ocotillos that reach north from the Sonoran Desert.

This year the bloom is good. Now is the time to see the cacti and succulents of the Mojave Desert, especially in those areas with a bit of elevation and hence a bit more rain.

Additional Reading: Mojave Desert Discovery