Wildflowers of Arizona

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Wildflowers of Arizona

Click below fo access our on-line store and product introductory information . . . It also includes 5 built-in wildflower slideshows.

This site introduces our Wildflowers of Arizona & Wildflowers of the Sonoran Desert wildflower identification products and provides many of our hiking notes with photos. Welcome to the ‘Wildflowers of Arizona’ and ‘Wildflowers of the Sonoran Desert’ official page! It provides an introduction to these products, a link to our website with more detailed information ( http://www.phoenixwildflowers.com ), a lot of our Arizona hiking notes, and ordering information. Today’s digital photography and computers support the economical use of large, digital, high-resolution color images, data bases and search engines to help with wildflower classification. Designed for the amateur enthusiast, 'Wildflowers of Arizona' provides a unique combination of computer-based digital imagery and automated classification tools for your home computer. It features an easy to use WildflowerFinder™ Search Tool designed to help in the identification of 570 Arizona wildflower species, in the process, drawing upon over 3150 large JPG photographic images (1920 x 1440 pixel), for many spectacular and beautiful wildflowers in our state that tend to catch the eye. All flower images were photographed within roughly 100 miles or so (a typical day trip) of Phoenix, Arizona, at hundreds of locations; north, south, east and west of the valley. Many specimens were spotted right alongside roadways, and many more while hiking. All photos, all originals taken by the author, were taken with either 5 or 10 megapixel CANON PowerShot digital cameras. With few exceptions each image is between 500KB and 1500KB in size. Purchasers are sub-licensed to have prints made for their own personal use (non-commercial) and enjoyment. Inquiries by commercial interests are always welcome. A similar legacy product, available in several versions for the past 8 years, and primarily focused on the Sonoran Desert (below 3500' elevation), titled 'Wildflowers of the Sonoran Desert,' organized in much the same fashion as 'Wildflowers of Arizona,' remains available; featuring over 1528 images, nearly all 1600 x 1200 pixel in size, covering 325 species. With either product, we know you will enjoy our many images of our beautiful Arizona wildflowers and scenery!

13/10/2026

Wildflower Report 758 - Big Bug Mesa Visit - FL908 / 100826

Last Thursday, temperature and rain forecasts for good hiking trails within 125 miles were best for Big Bug Mesa (Elevation roughly 6,700’). Good morning hiking temperatures were forecast (70’s), and no rain expected. At around 10:30 AM we headed out from New River, Arizona to the mesa. Our last visit there was 5/17/26, and we know the area well.

Our travel to and from the mesa included:

1. Drove from New River north on I-17, to Cordes Junction, then westerly on Hwy 69 to the “Poland Junction,” a few miles west of Mayer, Arizona on HWY 69. At the “Poland Junction,” we turned left from Hwy 69 onto the Gravel Road known as Poland Road up to the Big Bug Mesa, (labeled Yavapai 78 on a sign along the way). The trip from New River to the mesa top took roughly 1.5 hours, partly due to the 10 miles of one lane gravel roads (especially near the little community of Breezy Pine) without any guardrails, with frequent and appropriately posted speed limits of 10 mph. Timewise, this approach to the mesa is a much shorter distance than and faster than a drive to Prescott, south on Walker Road, then up the winding Big Bug Mesa Road. We always spot very photogenic plants alongside this Poland Road drive, and photos of species taken alongside Poland Road are Included within this report’s attached photos.

2. Referring to our attached hike GPS track image on top of the mesa, we toured Thursday mostly by jeep, (red track) but hiked/explored when something of interest was spotted. Any hiking during our several hours on the Big Bug Mesa top, was within maybe 100 yards of FR103. We first drove all the way to the end of FR103 for exploring near the Overlook, where there is a good sized parking area, and magnificent views to the east, west, and south” There we found enough species to keep us busy for perhaps a couple hours. After a few more stops on the way back to the start of FR103 (near the gate), we spent perhaps 30 minutes more looking for more species. Probably 90% of the species photographed/observed were found either at the overlook or near the mesa top 103 entry gate. Both areas have open areas the sunlight can reach. All of Poland Road was in good condition.

3. Following the hike, we retraced our ascent roads and returned to HWY 69, via “Poland Road & Junction,” then returned southbound on I-17 to New River.

If driving up to the mesa from Walker Road instead of Poland road, there are spots along the road up to the mesa top with a few homes, some old, some quite new, all secluded for the most part in the big pines, and many utilize fire resistant features, such as steel roofs.

On the mesa top, FR103 trail/road was again in very good condition. It’s now a newly surfaced smooth gray gravel road, from the entrance gate all the way to FR103’s conclusion at “The Overlook,” where a circular turn-around and parking area has been created. There are no toilets or water available, you are on your own. There has been a lot of work done on FR103 in recent years prior to the road completion. Large rocks have been removed from the road, and now line the road on both sides, with occasional spaces prepped among the pines where presumably one can pull off and camp. And a lot of forest thinning and debris gathering has been completed. In the wooded areas, the area seemed dry, so plants, grasses, wildflowers etc. weren’t plentiful. We spotted deer this visit, and couple groups of cows, maybe a dozen counting the two groups we spotted.

The conditions on top of the mesa, on FR103 were very pleasant, generally in the pines, and very quiet. The mesa top road (Fr.103) has a bit of a slant to it, in a long arc, through the trees. At the east end, the road ends at the very nice “Overlook” (lookout) previously mentioned, with splendid views to the east, south and west, including a view of the Little Wolf Creek.

Flowers in the wooded areas were few and far between, but quite plentiful near the overlook, and with several more species near the FR103 Entry Gate area, we observed 45 wildflower species. That compares to 27 species last May of 26, 18 species in August of 25, and 36 species in August of 2024.These totals also include a few we spotted alongside Poland Road, either on the way up or down.

Arizona has a lot of interesting names and there’s often interesting history associated with them. For example, it just so happens there is a “Big Bug” Ghost Town in the area we were in, supposedly so-named because of some large bugs in the area. “Big Bug” came to life in around the 1870’s, post office established in 1879, in its heyday had about 100 residents in the town or nearby mining claims, the last person is said to have left in 1910. Some 50,000 oz. of placer plus dredged gold were produced in the area in that period. There appeared to be some dredging still underway, in a part of Big Bug Creek, a year ago. The terrain there looked changed, viewed from Hwy 69 this trip. If you care to pursue a little more of the history, and/or the “Big Bug Mesa history, you might like to look for links on the internet, there are even a few old photos shown. Alternatively feel free to contact [email protected], and he will email you several links. There were some rough and tough people involved, with murders and the like mentioned in old newspaper clippings, etc.

PHOTOGRAPHS: 36 Photos with legends plus an image of our Hike (red)/trip GPS Track are attached to this post.

ADDITIONAL SPECIES OBSERVED: ( Photos not included)

Alongside Poland Road:

23 Broom Snakeweed

24 Prickly Russian Thistle

25 Alkali Goldenbush

26 Hackberry Beardtongue

On Big Bug MESA:

27 Trans-Pecos Morning-Glory (reddish)

28 Rusby’s Globemallow

29 Violettas

30 Common Goldfields

31 White Sweet Clover

32 Manyflowered Ipomopsis

33 Shrubby Deervetch

34 Goodding’s Verbena

35 Goldenrod sp.

36 Crossflower

37 Mesquite Mistletoe

38 Great Mullein

39 Wheeler’s Thistle

40 Common Dandelion

41 Mountain Parsley (red)

42 Yellow Sweet Clover

43 Scarlet Gaura

44 California Brickelbush

45 Toadflax Beardtongue

SEASONAL NOTE: Fall

LOCAL CONDITIONS: 70’s, Occasional light breezes.

BUGS, CRITTERS & THINGS: Maybe 8-10 cows, a few deer.

STATISTICS:

1 Hike Distance: ~ .4 miles

2 Mesa Top Elev. ~ 6,700’

3 Total Ascent ~ Negligible on foot.

Our reports are also posted as ‘Facebook Posts,’ with each photo labeled, at our ‘Wildflowers of Arizona’ page.

Another beautiful day in the great outdoors!

Our On-Line Store: For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizona
-----------------------------------------------------------
Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

03/10/2026

Wildflower Report 757b - Part 2 - Badger Springs Wash Hike & Photos - FL907 / 21 Sep 2026

Hello Everybody,

Our recent low desert weather has continued dry and hot for the most part. For last week, weather forecasts showed Monday’s weather to be the best of the week for hiking, cloudy with an afternoon high around 90. So we headed for Badger Springs around 11:15 AM, and reached the trailhead for a short hike about 12 noon (hike stretched to two hours with all the photography).

There are vault toilets maybe one-eighth mile before reaching the trailhead. Ample parking is located near the trailhead, but no potable or other water is available other than maybe seeps in the wash or the Agua Fria. There are no fees.

The drive in from I-17 is on a gravel road that was in good condition last Monday the 21st (isn’t always). Passenger cars with good clearance should be driven slowly and carefully to minimize bottoming out. We drove there in our Jeep and there were a few rough spots, but a car could have made it.

Part way to the Trailhead area we came across an acre or more of tall, densely packed Camphorweed and Jimmyweed in both separate and mixed stands, loaded with flowers. Time was rather short so we saved a closer look for on the way out after the hike, time permitting (time didn’t permit).

Turned out Badger Springs had a lot to offer, and we recorded nearly 30 flowering species, good for this time of year, and enough photos best provided with two reports (the Part 1 report followed by this Part 2 report).

Our entire hike was within the Agua Fria National Monument. This location is maybe a 40 minute drive from home, and at a somewhat higher elevation (Trailhead elevation ~3152’).

The wash area was mostly dry on the surface, there was a little water flowing in the Agua Fria at the confluence, many plants along the way were bright green, and in general there were blooming wildflowers in good to very good condition. Grasses were tall and full of seeds. We figure recent rain has been light.

The Part 1 report primarily featured photos taken along the hike from the trailhead to the confluence. This Part 2 report primarily features photos taken near the confluence and along the return hike to the parking area.

As there is water there reliably, either on or below the surface, we’ve found the best bet is to stick close to the actual Badger Springs and Agua Fria River washes, looking for plants tapping into the moisture below the surface, and for the most part that’s what we did.

Nice day overall, with temperatures up to the high 80’s, partly cloudy, mostly still.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management) maintains interesting online access links to BLM recreation areas that are very informative. We have stopped providing links in our reports, because report sharing with other pages of reports with links is greatly limited.

PICTURES: 24 Photos Plus An Image Of Our Hike GPS Track Are Included with This Part 2 Report.

SEASONAL NOTE: Summer.

LOCAL CONDITIONS: 80’s, clouds sometimes blocking direct sun shine. some tree shade.

BUGS, CRITTERS & THINGS: Assorted Birds, many Butterflies, three other hikers.

STATISTICS:

1 Hike Distance: ~1.8 mi.

2 Trailhead Elev.: ~3152’

3 Total Ascent: ~100’

Our reports are also posted as ‘Facebook Posts,’ with each photo labeled, at our ‘Wildflowers of Arizona’ page.

Another beautiful day in the great outdoors!

Our On-Line Store: For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizon
-----------------------------------------------------------
Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

27/09/2026

Wildflower Report 757a - Part 1 - Badger Springs Wash Hike & Photos - FL907 / 21 Sep 2026

Hello Everybody,

Our recent low desert weather has continued dry and hot for the most part. This past weekend’s weather forecasts showed Monday’s weather to be the best of the week for hiking, cloudy with an afternoon high around 90. So we headed for Badger Springs around 11:15 AM, and reached the trailhead for a short hike about 12 noon (hike stretched to two hours with all the photography).

There are vault toilets maybe one-eighth mile before reaching the trailhead. Ample parking is located near the trailhead, but no potable or other water is available other than maybe seeps in the wash or the Agua Fria. There are no fees.

The drive in from I-17 is on a gravel road that was in good condition last Thursday (isn’t always). Passenger cars with good clearance should be driven slowly and carefully to minimize bottoming out. We drove there in our Jeep and there were a few rough spots, but a car could have made it.

Part way to the Trailhead area we came across an acre or more of tall, densely packed Camphorweed and Jimmyweed in both separate and mixed stands, loaded with flowers. Time was rather short so we saved a closer look for on the way out after the hike, time permitting (time didn’t permit).

Turned out Badger Springs had a lot to offer, and we recorded nearly 30 flowering species, good for this time of year, and enough photos best provided with two reports (a Part 1 followed by a Part 2).

Our entire hike was within the Agua Fria National Monument. This location is maybe a 40 minute drive from home, and at a somewhat higher elevation (Trailhead elevation ~3152’).

The wash area was mostly dry on the surface, there was a little water flowing in the Agua Fria at the confluence, many plants along the way were bright green, and in general there were blooming wildflowers in good to very good condition. Grasses were tall and full of seeds. We figure recent rain has been light.

This Part 1 report primarily features photos taken along the hike from the trailhead to the confluence. The Part 2 report, which will be available around next weekend, will primarily feature photos taken around the confluence and along the return hike to the parking area.

As there is water there reliably, either on or below the surface, we’ve found the best bet is to stick close to the actual Badger Springs and Agua Fria River washes, looking for plants tapping into the moisture below the surface, and for the most part that’s what we did.

The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) maintains online access links to BLM recreation areas that are very informative. We are no longer providing such links, because distribution of this report with such links greatly reduces report distribution.

PICTURES: 28 Photos Plus An Image Of Our Hike GPS Track Are Included with This Report.

Nice day overall, with temperatures up to the high 80’s, partly cloudy, mostly still.

SEASONAL NOTE: Summer.

LOCAL CONDITIONS: 80’s, clouds sometimes blocking direct sun shine. some tree shade.

BUGS, CRITTERS & THINGS: Assorted Birds, many Butterflies, three other hikers.

STATISTICS:

1 Hike Distance: ~1.8 mi.

2 Trailhead Elev.: ~3152’

3 Total Ascent: ~100’

Our reports are also posted as ‘Facebook Posts,’ with each photo labeled, at our ‘Wildflowers of Arizona’ page.

Another beautiful day in the great outdoors!

Our On-Line Store: For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizona
--------------------------------------------
Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

11/09/2026

Wildflower Report 756b - Part 2 - Mingus Mt. Butterfly Trail Hike & Photos - FL906 / 3 Sep 2026

Hello Everybody,

Last Thursday we were off to Mingus Mt., in the PNF (Prescott National Forest) just a few miles south of Jerome, Arizona and west of Cottonwood. We’d be at elevations frequently under tree shade, areas featuring cooler hiking temperatures (70’s or so). Thursday also offered the most favorable rain forecast for the week. When scheduling mountain hikes it’s important to avoid days where thunder and lightning are likely. We last hiked here on 05/07/2026.

We headed north out of New River around 11:00 AM, on I-17 to Cordes Junction, then west on Hwy. 69 to Fain Rd, then roughly northwest on Fain Rd to SR89A, and then right on FR104 which took us up to the top of Mingus Mountain.

There were a few wildflowers alongside the flat section of Hwy 89A leading to the mountain, but we passed them and continued to the mountain.

Once near the mountain top, and the Butterfly Trail “Trailhead,” where the dam was totally removed a couple years ago, we managed to park near the trailhead (near where the dam used to be). We parked on the west side of the asphalt road, on the dirt, not far from a sturdy tree and the steep cliff.

The attached Hike GPS Track image shows our hike sequence: Tr536 to 536x537 jct., then west on 537 to 536x537x538 jct. We then hiked NW on 538, which started out as a road, stopping at an overlook about 100 ft off the trail. We found an opening in the trees where we could see through the trees that we were near a Jerome “Overlook,” and headed toward the light. We found a spot with an opening in the brush, took some photos, then headed back to the trail. We took a Shortcut on the return by “bushwhacking” our way down the hill from the overlook and trail area, heading south, to the 536x537 jct. area.

It turned out Tr537 and Tr538 were quite rocky, making for somewhat strenuous travel. Good boots with good traction are a real plus in such terrain.

Nice day, with comfortable temperatures, mostly still!

PHOTOGRAPHS: 26 Photos plus an image of our hike GPS Track are attached to this message. Part 1 photos were mostly taken between our parked car and the trail head area, mostly in the east shoulder areas, plus a few near where water is seen on the rocky hillside/trailhead photo. The attached Part 2 photos were mostly taken alongside the Butterfly Creek ravine, trails or western Mingus Mountain top.

Photo Legends & Info:

1 Scouler’s St. John’s Wort. See the little black dots on petal and leaf edges?

2 An Early Trail Scene.

3 A Sweet Four O’clock Flower.

4 Birdbill Dayflower. The fully formed flower appears to be sailing in a boat-shaped Brach.

5 Narrowleaf Four O’clock Flowers. Closing because its daytime, slow closing maybe because in an often shady spot.

6 Virgate Scorpionweed (AKA: Varileaf Phacelia).

7 Virgate Scorpionweed Flowers Closeup.

8 Coulter’s Lupine.

9 Alpine False Springparsley [AKA: Mountain Parsley] (Pseudocymopterus montanus)

10 A kind of Coral mushroom (Ramaria sp.) we’ve been told. We spotted numerous mushrooms in one maybe 30-40 yard long trail stretch, some on both sides of the trail, with at least several species present. This is one species we’ve never seen before.

11 Alpine Woodsorrel.

12 American Vetch Plant.

13 American Vetch Flowers Closeup.

14 Trail Scene Higher Up On The Way To The Flat Top Of Mingus.

15 Tall Flatsedge.

16 Wheeler’s Thistle.

17 Wheeler’s Thistle Group.

18 Wheeler’s Thistle Closeup.

19 Scenic View From The Top Of Mingus Mountain, Looking Roughly To The NE. Parts of Jerome, Cottonwood, The Pink Canyons of Sedona, And The San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff are visible.

20 Small Rough Menodora Plant.

21 Longleaf Cologania Flower Closeup.

22 Wright’s Cudweed.

23 Chinchweed (AKA: Commonly Spelled Cinchweed).

24 Chinchweed Flower Closeup.

25 A Mule Deer Checking Us Out! Photo taken with 150mm telephoto lens and cropped. The deer was probably about 75-100 ft. away.

26 For Lack Of A Sign, Consider This View As The Trailhead. If the spring is not running, this unique view at the road’s over 90 degree turn is easy to spot.

27 Our Hike GPS Hike Track (red).

SEASONAL NOTE: Summer.

LOCAL CONDITIONS: 70’s, lots of shade, mostly still.

BUGS, CRITTERS & THINGS: Assorted Birds, many Butterflies, one other hiker. Mule deer spotted twice.

STATISTICS:

1 Hike Distance: ~3.3 mi.

2 Trailhead Elev.: ~7350’-7700’

3 Total Ascent: ~450’

Another beautiful day in the great outdoors!

Our On-Line Store: For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizona

-----------------------------------------------------------
Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

07/09/2026

Wildflower Report 756a - Part 1 - Mingus Mt. Butterfly Trail Hike & Photos - FL906 / 3 Sep 2026

Hello Everybody,

Last Thursday we were off to Mingus Mt., in the PNF (Prescott National Forest) just a few miles south of Jerome, Arizona and west of Cottonwood. We’d be at elevations frequently under tree shade, areas featuring cooler hiking temperatures (70’s or so). Thursday also offered the most favorable rain forecast for the week. When scheduling mountain hikes it’s important to avoid days where thunder and lightning are likely. We last hiked here on 5/07/2026.

We headed north out of New River around 11:00 AM, on I-17 to Cordes Junction, then west on Hwy. 69 to Fain Rd, then roughly northwest on Fain Rd to SR89A, and then right on FR104 which took us up to the top of Mingus Mountain.

There were a few wildflowers alongside the flat section of Hwy 89A leading to the mountain, but we passed them and continued to the mountain.

Once near the mountain top, and the Butterfly Trail “Trailhead,” where the dam was totally removed a couple years ago, we managed to park near the trailhead (near where the dam used to be). We parked on the west side of the asphalt road, on the dirt, not far from a sturdy tree and the steep cliff.

The attached Hike GPS Track image shows our hike sequence: Tr536 to 536x537 jct., then west on 537 to 536x537x538 jct. We then hiked NW on 538, which started out as a road, stopping at an overlook about 100 ft off the trail. We found an opening in the trees where we could see through the trees that we were near a Jerome “Overlook,” and headed toward the light. We found a spot with an opening in the brush, took some photos, then headed back to the trail. We took a Shortcut on the return by “bushwhacking” our way down the hill from the overlook and trail area, heading south, to the 536x537 jct. area.

It turned out Tr537 and Tr538 were quite rocky, making for somewhat strenuous travel. Good boots with good traction are a real plus in such terrain.

Nice day, with comfortable temperatures, mostly still!

PHOTOGRAPHS: 28 Photos plus an image of our hike GPS Track are attached to this message. These Part 1 photos were mostly taken between our parked car and the trail head area, mostly in the east shoulder areas, plus a few near where water is seen on the rocky hillside/trailhead photo.

Photo Legends & Info:

1 Manyflowered Ipomopsis Flower Display

2 A Closer Look At These Little Flowers.

3 A Very Healthy Looking White Sweet Clover Shrub.

4 White Sweet Clover Flower Closeup.

5 Ragweed Bahia (Hymenothrix dissecta) Flowers And Foliage.

6 A Closeup Of The Ragweed Bahia Flowers.

7 Aspen Fleabane Plants. Notice the leaf shapes.

8 Spreading Fleabane. Compare the leaf shapes to the previous plants.

9 More Spreading Fleabane. Compare the leaf shapes to the previous two photos.

10 Sparse Goldenrod Plant. Located right next to our parked car.

11 Yellow Camphorweed Flowers.

12 Tassel-Flower Brickellbush Flowers.

13 Purple Cluster Geranium Flowers.

14 Geranium Flower Group. They were very plentiful along last Thursday’s hike trails.

15 Geranium Flower Closeup.

16 Slimleaf Plains-mustard Flowers.

17 Longleaf False Goldeneye Display.

18 Fall Tansyaster And Geranium Flowers Here.

19 Fall Tansyaster Flower Group.

20 Fall Tansyaster Flower Closeup.

21 Common Mullein Plants.

22 Showy Fendler’s Globemallow Flowers.

23 Globemallow Flowers Closeup.

24 Common Sunflower.

25 Common Sunflower Backside.

26 Flowering Common Yarrow Plant.

27 Our Parked Car Photographed From The Trailhead Hillside. Good parking space nearby is very limited.

28 For Lack Of A Sign, Consider This View As Showing The Trailhead Area. If the spring is not running, this unique view at the road’s over 90 degree turn is still easy to spot.

29 Hike GPS Track Image (red).

SEASONAL NOTE: Summer.

LOCAL CONDITIONS: 70’s, lots of shade, mostly still.

BUGS, CRITTERS & THINGS: Assorted Birds, many Butterflies, one other hiker. Mule deer spotted twice.

STATISTICS:

1 Hike Distance: ~3.3 mi.

2 Trailhead Elev.: ~7350’-7700’

3 Total Ascent: ~450’

Our Part 2 report will follow by this coming Friday.

Another beautiful day in the great outdoors!

Our On-Line Store: For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizona

-----------------------------------------------------------
Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

05/09/2026

Wildflower Report 755b - Part 2 - New River July August Legacy Photos - FL905 / 4 Sept. 2026

Hello Everybody,

As our recent New River weather has continued with highs mostly above 100F for many consecutive weeks, it’s been a long time since we’ve hiked here in the low desert, on the edge of the TNF (Tonto National Forest). Turned out back in July and August, when it was even hotter on average, we continued photographing attractive blooming wild “yard specimens” that bloomed despite the higher temperatures, and saved the photos for possible use.

This message shows some of what we photographed in our New River, Arizona yard last July and August following our frequent mid-summer travels. While it was quite hot, slipping outside now and then for 5 - 10 minutes to photograph new blooms was not a problem.

Photos for three “critters”(also included) when it was about 108F outside, were taken through one of our windows. The Bird’s open beaks were probably part of their efforts to cool off.

PHOTO LEGENDS LIST & INFO: Twenty five photos are attached:

1 Rattlesnake W**d

2 Rattlesnake W**d Flowers Closeup

3 Desert Senna Shrub

4 Desert Senna Flower Closeup

5 Pincushion Cactus (AKA: Fishhook Cactus)

6 Pincushion Cactus Flower Closeup

7 Prickly Pear Flower

8 Prickly Pear Flower Attached To Pad Side.

9 White Ratany Flower

10 Desert Straw Flower (AKA: Brownplume Wirelettuce)

11 Alkali Jimmyweed (AKA: Alkali Goldenbush)

12 Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)

13 Fishhook Barrel Cactus Flower Closeup.

14 California Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus cylindraceus)

15 California Barrel Cactus Flowers Closeup.

16 Prickly Pear Flower Attached To Pad Edge.

17 Rabbit In The Shade Of Our Home, ~108 F.

18 Roadrunner In The Shade Of Our Home, ~108 F.

19 American Kestrel In The Shade Of Our Home, ~108 F. It’s the smallest of the Falcon species.

20 Kestrel Side View Reveals More Coloring.

21 Sacred Datura Plant. Attractive flowers, but all plant parts are deadly poisonous for humans.

22 Sacred Datura Flower Closeup.

23 Desert Christmas Cactus. (AKA: Christmas Cholla Plant)

24 Desert Christmas Cactus Flowers And Foliage.

25 Desert Christmas Cactus Flower Closeup.

SEASONAL NOTE: Hot Summer.

STATISTICS:

Elevation: ~2430’

More beauty in the great outdoors!

Our On-Line Store:

For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizona
-----------------------------------------------------------
Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

30/08/2026

Wildflower Report 755a - Part 1 - April New River Legacy Photos - FL905 / April 2026

Hello Everybody,

As our recent New River weather has continued with highs mostly above 100F for many consecutive weeks, it’s been a long time since we’ve hiked here in the low desert, on the edge of the TNF (Tonto National Forest). Turns out back in April, when it was already unseasonably hot on a daily basis, we started photographing attractive blooming wild “yard specimens” that bloomed despite the higher temperatures, and saved the photos for possible future use.

This message shows some of what we photographed last April/May. In contrast to the problems and risks of hot weather hiking, it isn’t a problem for us to slip outside for 10 minutes to photograph a new species bloom in our yard. These are desert plants, adapted to this environment. The wild plants covered in this “Part 1” message bloomed in the April/May 2026 period, in our New River, Arizona yard.

We collected more yard photos in July & August, following our frequent mid-summer travels. Some of those photos will be provided in a follow up “Part 2” message we plan to send within a week following this message.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Twenty photos are attached to this message:

1 Little Leaf Palo Verde Tree.

2 Little Leaf Palo Verde Flowers Closeup. Note the white Banner Petal on each flower.

3 An Area Photo Showing Many Distant Trees Of Similar Size. They are very plentiful In the New River Area And TNF to the north.

4 White Ratany Shrub In Full Bloom.

5 White Ratany Flowers Closeup.

6 A White Ratany Seed Pod. Note the small barbs at the tip of each spine.

7 Prickly Pear Cactus Flower Closeup.

8 An Odora Plant With Flowers And Seed Plumes.

9 An Odora Flower Closeup.

10 A White Stem Paperflower Plant. Probably benefiting from an irrigation dripper.

11 White Stem Paperflower Flowers With A Butterfly.

12 Sweetbush Plant.

13 Sweetbush Plant With A Butterfly. Maybe also benefiting from an irrigation dripper.

14 Desert Senna Plant.

15 Desert Senna Flowers.

16 A Gambel’s Quail.

17 Woolly Bluestar Flowers Closeup.

18 Tarantula Hawk Wasp Feeding On A Milkweed Plant.

19 Pink Hedgehog Cactus Plant.

20 Pink Hedgehog Flower.

SEASONAL NOTE: Spring

STATISTICS:

Elevation: ~2430’

Hike Links: none.

Our On-Line Store:

For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

More beautiful time in the great outdoors!

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizona
-----------------------------------------------------------
Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

25/08/2026

Wildflower Report 754b - nolinks - Part 2 - Flagstaff Four Day Visit - FL904 / Aug. 11-14, 2026

Hello Everybody,

With another welcome break in Flagstaff’s Hot Weather last week we returned there last Tuesday thru Friday morning to visit relatives and for more hiking. Primary hiking locations included:

1. Tuesday - Short plant survey visit to Shultz Creek area at the west-most beginning of Shultz Pass Road (area just inside the road gate).
2. Wednesday - A 5 mi. out & back hike at Sandy’s and Walnut Canyons.
3 Thursday - Quick morning visit to Campbell Mesa and evening short hike at Sunset Crater National Monument.
4. Friday - Short Hikes at Wupatki National Monument then returned to New River.

Nice plant specimens were found at all locations. Many species were spotted at multiple locations. With all we photographed, we divided our report into two parts, and this message provides the second half of the report, Part 2.

All trails we hiked were in good condition; bugs bothered some members.

PICTURES, PART 2: 15 More Walnut Canyon photos, plus Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument photos, a couple Hwy89 roadside photos, plus our Hike GPS tracks for Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument Visits.

1 Rocky Mountain Bee Flower Plants. This two or more acre lot, just south of the Chevron Filling Station, at Campbell Ave. & Hwy 89, is absolutely loaded with flowering Bee Flower plants!
2 Rubber Rabbitbrush Plants In Sandys / Walnut Canyon.
3 Rubber Rabbitbrush Flower Closeup.
4 King’s Lupine Plant.
5 Approaching The Right Turn In The Main Trail To Caves Followed By A Narrow Mile of Preserve In Walnut Canyon.
6 The Scene After The Right Turn. A good sized cave is visible in the cliff face down by the two white rocks, and Fisher Point is in view up on top of the left rock cliff, accessible via another trail.
7 Curlycup Gumweed Plant.
8 Silverleaf Scorpionweed Plant.
9 Fernbush Plant.
10 Down In The Narrow Reserve Canyon Now, These Are Cutleaf Coneflowers.
11 Cutleaf Coneflowers Closeup.
12 Richardson Geranium Flowers.
13 A Primrose Mixed In With Fairly Thick Grass,
14 Poison Milkweed Plant.
15 Pale Evening Primrose. Next we turned around and headed back to the Sandy Canyon trailhead.
16 We Think It’s A Prairie Dog. Photo taken with 150 Zoom lens, photographed near the Campbell Mesa Trailhead Parking Area.
17 Next Stop, Sunset Crater Volcano Nat’l Monument. This is a photo of the Visitor Center. It closes at 4:30 PM but the park and trails are open 24 hours. There is a charge, if one does not have a LIFETIME SENIOR or other official pass, payable through the self-pay kiosk when no attendant is there.
18 A View Of A Wall Of The Crater On The Left, from the concrete part of the “Lava Flow” Trail. Note the very different terrain in the area. Our 1st attached Hike GPS Track shows how we drove there, from Hwy 89. The road continues east and north through Wupatki National Monument making a 38 mile loop back to Hwy. 89.
19 A Stairway Down To the Lava Field Cinder Trail.
20 Typical lava field scene.
21 Lacy Phacelia Plant.
22 Apache Plume Flower. We were surprised by the numerous Apache Plume shrubs in this desolate terrain.
23 An Attractive Display Of Apache Plumes In The Sunlight
24 Red Beard-Lip Beardtongue Penstemon Flowers.
25 Pink Beard-Lip Beardtongue Penstemon Plants.
26 Pink Beard-Lip Beardtongue Penstemon Flowers.
27 Hop Bush With Female Hop Flowers (cones). This species is grown for use in flavoring b**r.
28 Next Stop Was The Wupatki National Monument. Our time was limited so we drove the 38 mile access loop backwards to visit a couple closest Pueblo Archaeological ruins. This site is named the Citadel. Interesting history placards are on site. We explored the site for 0.3 miles.
29 We Also Hiked 0.8 mi. Near The Lomaki Ruins. We think this photo probably shows walls and features reconstructed by archaeologists. There is said to be evidence of humans presence in the area as far back as 10,000 years.
30 Woolly Paperflower Plant. The bright yellow is really showy in this landscape!
31 Woolly Paperflower Flower Closeup. The flowers feature fancy 3-lobbed, 3-Petal Flowers.
32 Prostrate Vervain. Also photographed just south of the Chevron Filling Station, at Campbell Ave. & Hwy 89, Between the Rocky Mt. Bee Plants and the road.
33 Hike GPS Track (red) and access to Sunset Crater Volcano Nat’l Monument.
34 Hike GPS Track (red) and access to Wupatki Nat’l Monument.

PART 2 FLAGSTAFF SPECIES LIST:

Sandy’s and Walnut Canyon Cont’d ( Part 2 Species)
50 Calliopsis or Golden Tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria)
51 Rubber Rabbitbrush
52 King’s Lupine
53 Penstemon
54 Little Leaf Globe Mallow
55 Elderberry
56 Curlycup Gumweed
57 Silverleaf Scorpionweed
58 Fernbush (Chamaebatiaria millefolium)
59 Cutleaf Coneflower
60 Richardson’s Geranium
61 Evening Primrose
62 Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera)
63 Poison Milkweed (Asclepias subverticillata)
64 “The pale evening-primrose” (Oenothera pallida)
Sunset Crater:
65 Slimleaf plainsmustard (Schoenocrambe linearifolia)
66 Arizona Firecracker (Ipomopsis arizonica)
67 Lacy Phacelia
68 Apache Plume
69 Senecio Genus Plant
70 Red Beard-Lip Beardtongue)(Penstemon barbatus)
71 Pink Beardtongue (Penstemon clutei
72 Hop (Humulus lupulus) Female Hop Flowers (Cones)
Wupatki Nat’l Monument Visit:
73 Sacred Datura
74 Broom Snakeweed
75 Silver Leaf Nightshade
76 Woolly paperflower,(Psilostrophe tagetina). (Bright Yellow Flowers, Fancy 3-Lobbed-Petals , 3-Petal Flowers).
77 Globemallow (Sphaeralcea hastulata)
Hwy 89 Roadside: (near Campbell Ave & Hwy 89)
78 Two Acres Or More - Rocky Mt Bee Plant.
79 Prostrate Vervain (Verbena bracteata)

SEASONAL NOTE: Summer

LOCAL CONDITIONS:
Temperatures: 60’s - 70’s F
Mostly cloudy, a little rain at the west-most beginning of Shultz Pass Road Wednesday evening.

BUGS, CRITTERS & THINGS: Assorted birds, Prairie Dogs (We Think), Avoided Poison Ivy While leaving Sandys Canyon.

STATISTICS:
1 Sandy’s and Walnut Canyon Hike: ~5 mi. R.T.
2 Starting Elevation: (jeep) ~6850’
3 Max. Elevation: ~6850’
4 Min. Elevation: ~6500’
5 Total Ascent: ~400’

6 Sunset Crater area Elevation: ~7,000’
7 Lava Flow Trail: ~1.1 mi.
8 Wupatki National Monument area elevation: ~5400’ (mostly prairie)
9 Citadel ruin hike: ~0.3 mi.
10 Lomaki ruin hike: ~0.8 mi.

Hike Links:
For hike Links to Walnut Canyon plus Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monument, contact Paul by email, at [email protected], or check on-line.

Our On-Line Store:
For information related to our on-line store, wildflower identification aids, framed photographs, matted photos and more, contact Paul by email, at [email protected].

More beautiful days in the great outdoors!

All the best,

Paul & Nancy Santori, Wildflowers of Arizona
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Paul Santori Sr. © 2026 All Rights Reserved

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