Currently, the most spectacular bloom in the park can be seen at the Cottonwood Canyon Bajada Trail. Among the showiest species currently in bloom are Arizona lupine (Lupinus arizonicus) with their tall purple spikes, browneyes (Chylismia claviformis) are the white blooms you see above. Multiple species with yellow flowers are also up and include two poppy species (Eschscholzia parishii and E. minutiflora). Ocotillos (Fouquuieria splendens) and chuparosa (Justicia californica) provide hummingbird attracting red blooms. Many other species are in bloom as well and can be seen with a discerning eye.
Lupines rise above numerous other species near the Cottonwood Bajada trailhead. Photo: NPS / Rick McNeil
Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia), Mojave Yucca (Yucca schidigera) and Teddy bear cholla (Cylindropuntia bigelovii) are some of the Joshua Tree National Park’s most charismatic plant species, and are all beginning to go into bloom. Both Joshua trees and Mojave Yucca can be seen in bloom, with a little luck, and are scattered throughout the northern portions of the park, including near the west entrance, Barker Dam, and near the intersection of Park Blvd and Pinto Basin Rd. Despite all of the rain we have had this year, we do not expect there to be a large Joshua Tree bloom unlike last year. Teddy bear cholla are also beginning to bloom along the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail.
A Joshua tree beginning to bloom near Barker Dam. Photo: NPS / Neil Frakes
Teddy bear cholla blooming at the Cholla Cactus Garden. Photo: NPS / Martin Bishop