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Joshua Tree National Park Wildflowers
The extent and timing of spring wildflower blooms in Joshua Tree National Park may vary from one year to the next. Fall and winter precipitation and spring temperatures are key environmental factors affecting the spring blooming period. Normally desert annuals germinate between September and December. Many need a good soaking rain to get started.
In addition to rains at the right time, plants also require warm-enough temperatures before flower stalks will be produced. Green leaf rosettes may cover the ground in January; however, flower stalks wait until temperatures rise. Wildflowers may begin blooming in the lower elevations of the Pinto Basin and along the parkand#0146s south boundary in February and at higher elevations in March and April. Desert regions above 5000 feet may have plants blooming as late as June.
Spring Blooming Periods Lower Elevations: 1000 and#150; 3000 feet
Yuccas-March and April
Annuals-February, March, and April
Cacti-March, April, and May Higher Elevations: 3000 - 5000 feet
Joshua trees-March and April
Annuals-March, April, and May
Cacti;April, May, and June
Maine ocean islands provide the only nesting sites for Atlantic puffins in the United States. Eastern Egg Rock in the midcoast region, Seal Island and Matinicus Rock at the mouth of Penobscot Bay, and Machias Seal Island and Petit Manan Island off the downeast coast provide habitat for more than 4,000 puffins each summer.