Page 17 - Spring 2018 issue v1

16 Friends oF red rock canyon Friends oF red rock canyon 17

On the Lookout (Continued from page 16)
lower elevations to start to warm up, it’s time for the globemallow and
higher. But areas desert marigold. April should show us purple sage,
Mojave yucca by BLM/Jeanne Tinsman hit. Southern Ne- first wildflower hike, and
indigo bush, and then later, the cactus will flower.
of color may be
patchy, reflected by
February 18 was Dr. Bob’s
where the rainfall
he said, “We had the low-
vada Conservancy
est number of wildflowers
naturalist Cody
By Margie Klein Dix, added that the on any of my hikes ever.” Wild rhubarb by BLM/Jim Cribbs
He stated that they did see
wildflowers would
paper flower, coyote willow,
probably come
“W e had the lowest number of wildflowers on any of my hikes ever.” in waves, March and finally, wild rhubarb. Of
course, if you want the latest
through May. A
and most accurate bloom
likely blossom
info, get it straight from the
sequence, he said,
Dr. Bob Peloquin
would start with Indian paintbrush, then Joshua
trees. The yuccas have obvious buds and should Doctor’s mouth.
show flowers by March. Also blooming in March Meanwhile, as we guess what species
ettle down, wildflower enthusiasts... 2018 at creek beds and where there are pools, like should be Red Rock’s glorious redbuds, highly hikers will see this spring, remember that this is
S shows little promise to be an exciting Calico Springs, Red sought after for wildflower viewing. As things Las Vegas, so it’s a gamble.
bloom year. As one of these anticipants, I was Spring and Willow
glad to sit down with Dr. Bob Peloquin, Red Rock Springs. Most of
Canyon’s own wildflower expert, for an interview. the rain that has
Well, actually, I chased him around the office, fallen so far has
Visitor Center and Scenic Drive for two months, been in or near the Redbud tree by ProTrails
trying to get answers out of him on this spring’s mountains, so they
outlook. “Why do you want to ask me about that?” should have a bet-
Volunteers dedicated to the preservation of Red Rock Canyon
he responded, “It looks like a poor year due to the ter bloom than the
lack of precipitation.” That was the general prem- desert floor.
ise of his answers; but over the weeks, the forecast
improved just a bit. The average yearly rainfall in Las Vegas is four
inches while Red Rock receives six inches, with a
Dr. Bob is always out scouting the areas in Red good amount occurring in fall and winter. Late fall
Rock Canyon. In January, he noted that even the rains are best for smaller annual plants; while the
expected wild rhubarb was not coming up due to late winter – early spring rains are most beneficial
insufficient rain this winter. “We’re still waiting to the larger, perennial plants. So this spring we
for moisture.” According to the National Weather should see a low number of annuals. Even though
Service Red Rock weather station data, we many of these plants may have
received 1.4” of precipitation from just one seeded well with a good bloom Select your member level: Individual: _____ $25/1 Year _____ $45/2 Years
storm in early January. Before this, it had last year, they may have to Joint/Family:_____ $35/1 Year _____ $63/2 Years
been over 100 days since the last rain. “bank it” until a better year for White Rock: _____ $125/1 Year _____ $225/2 Years
germination. Dr. Bob remarked Calico Hills: _____ $250/1 Year _____ $450/ 2 Year
In early February, I caught up with Dr. that we have a better chance of
Bob again. This time, he said he had seen seeing perennials and shrubs Turtlehead: _____ $500/ 1 Year _____ $900/ 2 Years
silk tassel trees with buds at Pine Creek with deep taproots that can ac- Mt. Wilson: _____ $1000/1 Year _____ $1800/ 2 Years
(4,000 ft). At the lower elevations, he saw Penstamon by Stan Shebs cess deeper moisture reserves.
naturalized filaree blooming, along with Credit Card Payment: _________________________________________________ Exp: ______
manzanita. Penstemons also showed some Blooms should prog- Type: Visa MasterCard Discover
growth. He said we might get some blooms ress south to north and from Mail form and payment to:
(Continued on page 17) Friends of Red Rock Canyon 1000 Scenic Drive Las Vegas, NV 89161

the Rock - Volume 8 Issue 3 Spring 2018