Ecosystems at Risk, #4: Death Valley

Acres of “Desert Gold” (Geraea canescens)

Over the weekend of March 12-13th, I visited Death Valley National Park in California for the spring bloom, which was considered to be especially impressive this year. I tagged along with a 2-day plant walk set up by the California Native Plant Society. The event was well-organized by a gentleman who knows the area well and scouted out prime locations ahead of time. I enjoyed the presence of botanists because I got positive IDs on everything we saw. They had their books and would key-out anything they couldn’t name off the top of their head, and they corrected each other on newer names.

One male-female couple on the trip had not been to Death Valley in three decades and the woman joked that they only visit every 30 years, and that she looked forward to coming again in another 30, when she’ll be 96. I was not part of the conversation so didn’t mention that its doubtful that all the flowers and plants we were seeing would still be there in 30 years, at the rate that the climate is changing. Even scientifically-minded people are not giving much thought to Climate Change.

Of course, the scientific approach is not well understood by most people, including most people who consider themselves scientifically-minded. As an approach, it is limited to examining phenomena that can be measured in particular ways, and so leaves out entire aspects of life and sensation. It cannot, therefore, ever provide complete explanations. Humble scientists know this. Smart ones also know that, scientifically, “Absence of proof is not proof of absence.” In the popular mind, however, these things are not understood, and many people who present themselves as rational, logical and “scientific” believe that the opposite is true: that absence of proof is proof of absence.

I mention all of this because at some point on the second day, one of the other attendees said to me — out of the blue — that she had heard that some people think that “plants have feelings” but that she didn’t believe it. I responded that, first of all, plants have senses and respond to stimuli, but that secondly, “feelings” as the term is commonly used, are purely human. I was referring, of course, to the ego-self and its inventions, but this point was lost on her and she simply retrenched in her original statement. I had no interest in talking about it with her; as one of the most scientifically-minded people on the trip, she clearly had no curiosity beyond the narrow field of intellect that she had chosen and seemed to have mastered fairly well.

I certainly wasn’t going to bring up the fact that I have experienced communication with plants many times in my life. Sometimes it has been subtle, and other times almost like being shouted at. I am not a superstitious person and am highly skeptical about New Age ideas, so these experiences have not been self-delusion as a product of wishful thinking. They have simply been experiences that I have had from time to time, usually unbidden.

Twice during the course of this weekend event, I experienced being “called” by a plant. The first instance was when we had paused and the leader was trying to decide if this was the spot to turn around and go back for lunch. A strong sensation rose in me that said, “No! There’s still something just ahead.” These words to myself were not a hope or wish that there was something else ahead; they were the reaction to a signal. And as it turned out, when we hiked a little further up the trail — about another 20 feet — we found a Rambling Milkweed, twining through another shrub, not visible until we were right on top of it. I had never met this plant before in this life. I had only seen photographs but had been wanting to meet it for some time. I was quite thrilled.

Rambling Milkweed (Sarcostemma hirtellum) NJ

The second time was when the Coyote Tobacco called me. We were walking up a steep-walled canyon and I could feel it as we got nearer. This was not me looking at the habitat and guessing that it would grow there; quite the contrary; in my intellectual mind and in my own personal experience, I associated the plant with sandy washes, in a spot that gets sun at least half the day. When I did finally find Nicotiana obtusifolia, it was in full shade in a particularly windy section. Not where I would have guessed, in other words. I spent quite a few minutes with the various individuals along the short stretch of canyon where they lived before they gave out again.

Coyote Tobacco (Nicotiana obtusifolia)

Obviously, the botanist who doesn’t believe that plants have feelings would think that I am full of shit. That’s her prerogative, but it’s also merely her belief, not a scientific fact. I remain grateful to her, however, for knowing the botanical names of so many plants. That’s what I was interested in learning that weekend during the Death Valley bloom.

Death Valley contains many different ecosystems, from washes to canyons and mountains, at elevations ranging from below sea-level to over 5000 feet above it. In the past, changes in climate were generally gradual enough that plants could shift from one area to another. However, the rate of anthropomorphic Climate Change is much faster and is speeding up. Extinction is the likely outcome for most of the plants in this slideshow.

"Desert Gold" (Geraea canescens, Family: Asteraceae)

This was the most common flower I saw, covering acres and acres and some areas.

"Gravel Ghost" - flower (Atrichoseris platyphylla, Family: Asteraceae)

In the Chicory Tribe of the Sunflower Family.

"Gravel Ghost" - leaf rosette (Atrichoseris platyphylla, Family: Asteraceae)

Rosette of round leaves is characteristic of this plant, distinguishing it from other white-flowered Asters.

"Stiff-Haired Lotus" - whole plant (Acmispon strigosus, Family: Fabaceae)

"Stiff-Haired Lotus" - flower (Acmispon strigosus, Family: Fabaceae)

"Ring Stem" or "Wet Leaf" - flower (Anulocaulis annulatus, Family: Nyctaginaceae)

"Ring Stem" or "Wet Leaf" - (Anulocaulis annulatus, Family: Nyctaginaceae)

Note the characteristic stem markings from which this plant gets its common name. The undersides of the lower leaves of this plant, when touched, leave a wet-slimy coat on the skin, almost like touching a slug!

"Sweetbush" - flower (Bebbia juncea, Family: Asteraceae)

Shrubby perennial with narrow leaves

"Desert Holly" (Atriplex hymenelytra, Family: Chenopodiaceae)

Quite common in some areas of Death Valley.

"Desert Holly" - foliage (Atriplex hymenelytra, Family: Chenopodiaceae)

Leaf shape is how plant got common name. It is not, botanically-speaking, an actual "Holly," which is genus "Ilex".

"Desert Holly" - female plant (Atriplex hymenelytra, Family: Chenopodiaceae)

A Dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate plants (like Hops, Marijuana and humans). These are the female flowers.

"Desert Holly" - male plant (Atriplex hymenelytra, Family: Chenopodiaceae)

A Dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate plants (like Hops, Marijuana and humans). These are the male flowers.

"Death Valley Goldeneye" (Bahiopsis reticulata, Family: Asteraceae)

"Pebble Pincushion" - flower (Chaenactis carphoclinia, Family: Asteraceae)

"Pebble Pincushion" - foliage (Chaenactis carphoclinia, Family: Asteraceae)

"Mojave Suncup" (Chylismia brevipes, Family: Onagraceae)

"Club-Fruited Primrose" - yellow form (Chylismia claviformis, Family: Onagraceae)

More commonly, this plant flowers with white/cream-colored flowers with brown in their centers and are known commonly as "Brown-Eyed Primrose."

"Panamint Catseye" (Cryptantha angustifolia, Family: Boraginaceae)

"Cryptantha" is Greek for "hidden flower"

"Downy Dalea" - whole plant( Dalea mollissima, Family: Fabaceae)

"Downy Dalea" - flower (Dalea mollissima, Family: Fabaceae)

"Desert Five-Spot" - flower entirely opened (Eremalche rotundifolia, Family: Malvaceae)

This was the first flower I saw on this trip and instantly became of of my new "favorite" flowers.

"Desert Five-Spot" - flower opening (Eremalche rotundifolia, Family: Malvaceae)

An amazing stage in opening, where the blossom makes a perfect globe!

"Desert Five-Spot" - flower bud (Eremalche rotundifolia, Family: Malvaceae)

Before the "globe" stage, the bud has a more conventional appearance.

"Desert Five-Spot" - leaf (Eremalche rotundifolia, Family: Malvaceae)

"Booth's Evening Primrose" (Eremothera boothii, Family: Onagraceae)

"Thomas' Buckwheat" - whole plant (Eriogonum thomasii, Family: Polygonaceae)

"Thomas' Buckwheat" - flower (Eriogonum thomasii, Family: Polygonaceae)

"Little Desert Trumpet" - whole plant (Eriogonum trichopes, Family: Polygonaceae)

"Little Desert Trumpet" - flower (Eriogonum trichopes, Family: Polygonaceae)

"Rock Nettle" or "Velcro Plant" - buds (Eucnide urens, Family: Loasaceae)

These were not blooming yet when I was there. Apparently the flowers are cream to yellow colored and quite beautiful.

"Rock Nettle" or "Velcro Plant" - leaf stuck to pants, just like velcro! (Eucnide urens, Family: Loasaceae)

"California Fagonbush" - flower (Fagonia laevis, Family: Zygophyllaceae)

In the same Family as the Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata), and if you've seen those flowers, this will look quite familiar to you. Same shape, just different color.

"California Fagonbush" - fruiting bodies (Fagonia laevis, Family: Zygophyllaceae)

Note the fruiting bodies. Apparently, these are similar in appearance to "caltrops," which were defensive battlefield weapons used by the Greeks, meant to trip up cavalry and foot soldiers. Zygophyllaceae is the "Caltrop" Family.

"Broad Leafed Gilia" (Gilia latifolia, Family: Polemoniaceae)

"Golden Carpet" - whole plant - RARE (Gilmania luteola, Family: Polygonaceae)

This is the only specimen of this plant seen the whole weekend, and I'm the one who spotted it first! 🙂

"Golden Carpet" - flowers - RARE (Gilmania luteola, Family: Polygonaceae)

"Lilac Sunbonnet" - whole plant (Langloisia setosissima ssp. punctata, Family: Polemoniaceae)

"Lilac Sunbonnet" - flower (Langloisia setosissima ssp. punctata, Family: Polemoniaceae)

What a charmer!

"Bigelow's Monkeyflower" - whole plant (Mimulus bigelovii, Family: Phrymaceae)

"Bigelow's Monkeyflower" - flowers (Mimulus bigelovii, Family: Phrymaceae)

"Jones' Linanthus" (Linanthus jonesii, Family: Polemoniaceae)

"Humble Gilia" (Linanthus demissus, Family: Polemoniaceae)

"Spiny Menodora" (Menodora spinescens, Family: Oleaceae)

This plant is in the Olive Family.

"Reflexed Blazing Star" - whole plant (Mentzelia reflexa, Family: Loasaceae)

"Reflexed Blazing Star" - flowers (Mentzelia reflexa, Family: Loasaceae)

"Golden Desert Snapdragon" - whole plant (Mohavea breviflora, Family: Plantaginaceae or Scrophulariaceae, depending on who you ask)

"Golden Desert Snapdragon" - flower (Mohavea breviflora, Family: Plantaginaceae or Scrophulariaceae, depending on who you ask)

"Mojave Desert Star" - whole plant (Monoptilon bellioides, Family: Asteraceae)

"Mojave Desert Star" - flowers (Monoptilon bellioides, Family: Asteraceae)

"Purplemat" (Nama demissum, Family: Boraginaceae)

"Coyote Tobacco" - flowers (Nicotiana obtusifolia, Family: Solonaceae)

I was the first one to spot this plant. I was keeping my eyes open for Nicotiana for sure. Although most of the group would gather eagerly around each new plant to identify it, take photos and discuss its habits, most people were not interested in this one, extending their cultural bias against cigarettes to this un-involved species. What BS!

"Coyote Tobacco" - leaf (Nicotiana obtusifolia, Family: Solonaceae)

Note how leaf clasps the stalk. This is one of the differences with "Indian Tobacco" (Nicotiana attenuata), which is found in the same areas and has a similar flower.

"Lineleaf Whitepuff" (Oligomeris linifolia, Family: Resedaceae)

"Emory's Rock Daisy" (Perityle emoryi, Family: Asteraceae)

This plant is named for Major William Hemsley Emory (1812-1887), a military careerist who participated in the forced removal of the Creek Indians from Georgia, directed the Mexican Boundary Survey, and fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Let's come up with another species name for this cute little daisy, which has none of the genocidal, imperialist, war-mongering tendencies of its namesake.

"Caltha-Leafed Phacelia" - whole plant (Phacelia calthifolia, Family: Boraginaceae)

"Caltha-Leafed Phacelia" - flowers (Phacelia calthifolia, Family: Boraginaceae)

"Caltha-Leafed Phacelia" - leaf (Phacelia calthifolia, Family: Boraginaceae)

Leaf shape is one way to tell this Phacelia apart from others that are common in the same areas.

"Knotch-Leafed Phacelia" - flowers (Phacelia crenulata, Family: Boraginaceae)

"Knotch-Leafed Phacelia" - foliage (Phacelia crenulata, Family: Boraginaceae)

Note leaf shape, "knotched" as the name says, and how different from Phacelia calthafolia, earlier in this slideshow.

"Blond Plantain" - whole plant (Plantago ovata, Family: Plantaginaceae)

A European import, like other species of Plantago, grows well in compacted soils, such as roadsides and trails. "Plantago" is Latin for "footprint," reflecting this affinity. Some Native Americans called the Plantagos "white-man's footprint" because it accompanied the European colonizers wherever they went.