Page 9 - spring 2015 magazine FINAL

Photos and Text By Gareth Pearson and Liz Carmer

Muilla (Mullia corona-
ta) is in the Lily
(Liliaceae) family and
is one our rarest and
smallest lilies. It is seen
in early spring and has
been found in Calico
Photo by Liz Carmer
Basin and Pine Creek.

Desert Paint Brush (Asteillja angustifolia) is in the Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
family. It is partially parasitic on the roots of other plants. This flower was found
near Oak Creek Canyon.

About the Authors/Photographers:
Liz Carmer: Before coming to Las Ve-
gas, Liz practiced law, paid off her school
debt, built her savings, sold everything and
then traveled and volunteered full time on
the road.
Photo by Diane Frankenfield husband Alan took a position in Las Vegas
After 8 years of full-time travel, Liz’s

with the federal government as a bank ex-
Yellow Cryptantha or Popcorn Flower (Cryptantha aminer. You’ll see Friends member Liz on

confertiflora) is in the Borage (Boraginaceae) family hikes as an assistant leader, cleaning graffi-
and is one of our larger and showy cryptanths. It can
grow to 18 inches and is commonly seen along the Cali- ti, working on the Landscape Team and
co Hills from the Calico Basin side. It generally begins leading the Canyon Cleanup Crew.
to bloom in March.
Gareth Pearson: After 38 years of Federal
service, Gareth retired from the Environmen-
Androstephium breiflorum)
is in the Lily (Liliaceae) tal Protection Agency’s Las Vegas research
family. It is rare and diffi- laboratory in 2006. He has Bachelors and
cult to find because it some-
times grows among other Masters degrees in Zoology from the Univer-
plants and its rather dull sity of California Santa Barbara and did ex-
color. We have seen it twice tensive graduate work at the Johns Hopkins
this year in Calico Basin
and on the lower Moenkopi University in the environmental sciences.
trail and one several years Since retiring, Gareth has been a volunteer Photo by Liz Carmer
ago in the Red Rock Camp Photo by Liz Carmer
Ground. It can be a foot tall for the last five years and is active as a Trail
and have multiple flowers. Monitor and Assistant Hike Leader.

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