Desert floor in full bloom

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This report from Tom Chester (http://tchester.org/bd/blooms/2015.html) was posted on February 20 and is posted on his website. Used with permission.

"Believe it or not, the Borrego Desert floor went from having very few 
blooms on 5 February 2015, to being in full bloom on 20 February 2015, just  15 days later. The number of plants in bloom (counting a max of 99 plants  for each species), went from 334 plants of 29 species on 2/5/15 to 3206  plants of 79 species on 2/20/15!

"In fact, the number of plants recorded in bloom on 20 February 2015 is the highest we've ever recorded at this time of year. This is not necessarily a good thing, since it may mean the bloom won't last very long this year, as  the plants try to reproduce before they run out of water.

"I've updated the Borrego Desert blooms page with the results of our 2/20/15 trip, including two pictures from the Visitor Center area, and a list of all the species observed in bloom in a walk around the Visitor Center area, and then toward Flatcat and Hellhole Canyon.
 See: http://tchester.org/bd/blooms/2015.html 

tom chester

Botany Class Studies Malvaceae

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Last Monday's Botany Certification Class, led by former Botany Society President Don Rideout, studied the family Malvaceae. Don had plant samples taken from his own garden of California native plants. The class focused on key characteristics of this common desert plant family. Well-known members of this family include okra, cotton, cacao and Hibiscus.

Here a student is closely checking on the internal parts of the flower. 

McKinnon to Speak on Red Brome Physiology and Management

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A plant ecologist with a background in research will reveal why the aggressive non-native grass Red Brome is a significant threat to Southern California in a talk to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® Botany Society on February 9 in Borrego Springs.

Evan MacKinnon, an environmental scientist with Colorado Desert District that includes Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, joined the park staff last May and plans to use his research experience as a weapon against such threats. His talk is about Red Brome Physiology and Management.

The presentation starts at 10 a.m. at the State Park Visitor Center at 200 Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs. The talk is open to the public at no charge.

Spring Plant Walks

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The Anza Borrego Foundation, in cooperation with the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park© Botany Society, begins its popular Spring Plant Walks next month. Enjoy and learn about the ingenuity of the Park's survival experts, our amazing desert plants.

Members of The Botany Society share their expertise on easy morning strolls in different locations in the Park. Bring water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes.

Fee: $10/person; no pre-registration required
Meeting Place: ABF State Park Store (next to Calico's)
587 Palm Canyon Drive #110, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m. (depending on travel time to the location)

Dates*:
Tuesday, February 3
Friday, February 6
Sunday, February 8
Wednesday, February 11
Saturday, February 14
Sunday, February 15
Friday, February 20
Sunday, February 22
Wednesday, February 25
*Additional dates may be added; check the Events Calendar

For further information: Ashley Kvitek, ashley@theabf.org, Anza Borrego Foundation.

New Newsletter Editors

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Don and Sheila Rideout have stepped up to be the new Newsletter editors, taking the place of Toni Alexander who is presumably now collaring lions in the Seregetti. You may also notice that you are receiving the newsletter in a slightly different form. Instead of getting the newsletter as an email attachment, you will be receiving an email with a link in it. Clicking on the link will take you to the Botany Society’s web page where the newsletter will be published. We are always looking for articles of interest and notices for coming events that we can include in the newsletter. If you have something to contribute, please email it to Don Rideout.