Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe)

Observer

sheliahargis

Date

October 21, 2017 10:55 AM CDT

Description

Not sure what is going on but this is the fourth birder that I know of who has had a phoebe perch on their binoculars or on their person at Commons Ford.

Photos / Sounds

What

Daisy Family (Family Asteraceae)

Date

April 2024

Photos / Sounds

What

Apricot Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua var. ambigua)

Observer

toadwarrior

Date

May 16, 2024 12:08 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

debm

Date

March 2024

Description

Photos / Sounds

What

Locoweed (Genus Oxytropis)

Observer

calochortus_goff

Date

August 6, 2023 11:38 AM PDT

Description

iNaturalist doesn’t have an easy way to log things like this, being bound to one species at a time, but this is a photo of what I think is an Oxytropis parryi X borealis hybrid. The plant in the lower right is Oxytropis parryi, the plant in the upper left is Oxytropis borealis, and in the center between the two is an individual with intermediate traits. These include fewer silky grey hairs than parryi, but without the full sticky/glandular lead hairs of borealis. The size and habit is intermediate, and it has the inflorescences similar to borealis, rather than the solitary flowers of parryi. It even has erect hairs on the pedicel like borealis. More photos available for those interested. So fun!!

Photos / Sounds

What

White Mountains Threadplant (Nemacladus morefieldii)

Observer

arbonius

Date

May 19, 2023 11:12 AM PDT

Description

[[NOTE: Three additional (large-sized!) images of this plant (showing more of the flowering stems, and habitus) are available in this companion post on CalPhotos. Check out the "full-size" photos there.

Also, remarks on diagnostic characters (and some descriptive morphology) for Nemacladus morefieldii appear under the this CalPhotos post. ]]

====== Variation in Characters for Nemacladus morefieldii ======

I'm struck by some of the variation in this (lovely) species.

1) Marginal "chevron" markings on upper three corolla lobes: For instance, note how narrow the reddish "chevrons" of the three upper corolla lobes are in the flowers of the plant here...vs. the much wider marginal chevrons in my CalPhotos post referenced above. Similar variation will be seen upon perusing photos of N. morefieldii on iNaturalist, CalPhotos, and CalFlora.

2) Relative sizes of "flanking" and "central" sepals: Another character that is celebrated for "good" N. morefieldii (i.e. in plants that have taken time to read & comply with the circumscription ;;-) is that the "flanking sepals" (= lateral sepals behind, and angled somewhat below, the lateral petals of the upper lip) are appreciable larger than the "central (upper) sepals" (= those alternating with the uppermost corolla lobe, and positioned behind its sinuses). Not only are those flanking sepals typically somewhat longer and (especially) wider than the upper sepals...but usually they're also distinctly more "cupped", and cradle the lateral lobes of the upper corolla lip — i.e. more so than the flanking sepals in flowers of the close congener N. orientalis (which, in addition, has its sepal of more equal size). It's best to have a "from the back" view of a flower to assess the relative sizes of the flanking & central sepals...which I didn't get here. But, in the first photo here, one can see that the flanking sepals in the withering flower at left-center are somewhat wider & longer than its central sepals. This is a nice distinctive character...though it does seem to vary quite a bit.

3) Relative size (or even absence?) of "rod-like processes": Finally, I've been wondering how much variation in size (and perhaps even presence?) occurs for the glistening, translucent, "rod-like processes" at the bases of the two adaxial stamens. In the flowers imaged here I can clearly discern the presence of these rods...whereas in my CalPhotos post here they aren't discernible. I know from experience that getting a photo with those rod-like processes in focus can be very difficult...since in most Nemacladus species these rods are exceedingly tiny, and there's very little "depth-of-field leeway" for one's focal plane at the high-magnification required to image them. But still, I'd think that even if focus is a bit off, there'd be at least a blurry intimation (or ghost-image) of the rods? But maybe not? At any rate, perusing photos of N. morefieldii, it seems like in some flowers the rods appear distinctly present, while in others they appear to be absent. It may be worth checking fresh flowers seen in the field with a hand-lens...to see if they have a fairly consistent presence & size for these rods (i.e. if their seemingly random "presence" and "absence" in photos is truly just an artifact of getting photographic focus just right).

I suppose whether the rods are visible might also be subject to phenology? How long does it take for a Nemacladus flower to fully-develop...to open and unfurl its corolla lobes, for its staminal tube to attain full length and standard position? Do the rods attain full size in bud, or perhaps continue to grow a bit after the flower opens and as it matures...passing from its "male" anther-dehiscing stage through to its "female" stage of stigma receptivity? And how many days does a given flower remain open during this process? One, two, more?

There are always more questions to ponder with these wonderful plants :-)

====== Pollination Biology in Nemacladus ======

I'm especially curious & eager for us to learn more about which groups of insects are effective pollinators of Nemacladus flowers...and details of the pollination processes that occur & their mechanisms (e.g. Campanulaceae is known for its remarkable secondary pollen presentation structures & mechanisms).

For instance, I'd speculate that species with non-resupinate flowers like N. morefieldii (and N. orientalis, N. montanus, N. interior, etc.) would tend to place pollen on the underside of a visiting insect of the appropriate size (i.e. sternotribic pollen placement). And for resupinate-flowered species, I'd guess pollen placement would more likely be on the upperside of an insect visitor's body (i.e. nototribic). But a priori speculation about pollination processes based on flower morphology has often turned out to be off-the-mark. ;-) Careful direct observation & documention of pollinator visits and behavior (and thoughtful, creative experimentation)...though very time-consuming and laborious...is probably the best avenue for making progress on this front.

I also wonder to what extent (and under what conditions) self-pollination may occur in Nemacladus?

Photos / Sounds

What

Desert Fivespot (Eremalche rotundifolia)

Observer

joergmlpts

Date

April 20, 2023 01:23 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Santa Ynez Groundstar (Ancistrocarphus keilii)

Observer

matt_g

Date

April 2023

Photos / Sounds

What

Noogoora Burr (Xanthium strumarium)

Observer

matsonburger

Date

May 21, 2019 12:28 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Saguaro (Carnegiea gigantea)

Observer

tim_mathewson

Date

May 30, 2022 12:18 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)

Observer

cabbagefreak

Date

June 12, 2022 06:09 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Large-flowered Skeleton Plant (Lygodesmia grandiflora var. dianthopsis)

Observer

flaveboy

Date

October 30, 2022 10:36 AM PDT

Description

3 of these growing on kelso dunes - see my other observations

Photos / Sounds

Observer

hkibak

Date

November 1, 2022 03:12 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Tulare County Rockcress (Boechera pygmaea)

Observer

mdpurdy

Date

July 2021

Description

Associated with (from same population as) collection Purdy 1141.

Population size estimated at ca. 40 plants. Most vegetative, none in flower, and only 3 in fruit.

Photos / Sounds

What

Limestone Daisy (Erigeron uncialis var. uncialis)

Observer

matsonburger

Date

June 2022

Photos / Sounds

What

Yellow Purpusia (Ivesia arizonica var. arizonica)

Observer

wildgifts

Date

June 18, 2022 12:25 PM PDT

Description

Collection #1265

Photos / Sounds

What

Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis)

Observer

joeysantore

Date

May 11, 2022 06:23 PM CAT

Description

The only other plant found growing in the immediate vicinity was a succulent shrub species of Amaranthaceae, Arthraerua leubnitziae. Heavy fog in the morning. Ten miles East, no fog. In this way Welwitschia can be seen to be a relictual species somewhat akin to coastal redwoods of California, both clinging to a narrow strip along the coast of a cold ocean where they can find what they need to survive and in the case of Welwitschia, avoid competition.

Photos / Sounds

What

Hooker's Sandwort (Eremogone hookeri)

Observer

evolvulux

Date

May 22, 2021 12:36 PM MDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Daggerpod (Anelsonia eurycarpa)

Observer

wildgifts

Date

July 22, 2021 10:00 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Desert Yellowhead (Yermo xanthocephalus)

Observer

walterfertig

Date

June 2014

Photos / Sounds

Observer

madge

Date

April 10, 2021 11:54 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

jrebman

Date

April 10, 2021 12:08 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Dwarf Evax (Hesperevax acaulis)

Observer

rogerstephens

Date

April 8, 2021 09:09 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Nevada Oryctes (Oryctes nevadensis)

Observer

swinitsky

Date

May 2019

Photos / Sounds

What

Dwarf Cottonrose (Logfia depressa)

Observer

efmer

Date

March 3, 2019 10:02 AM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva)

Observer

alan_rockefeller

Date

August 18, 2020 03:11 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Mono Penstemon (Penstemon monoensis)

Observer

matsonburger

Date

May 2, 2019 10:44 AM PDT

Place

Lead gulch (Google, OSM)

Photos / Sounds

What

Las Vegas Bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica)

Observer

gentilcore

Date

April 2018

Description

USA, Nevada, Clark County, Gold Butte National Monumnet: The spectacular yellow Las Vegas Bearpaw Poppy flowers blooming on barren gypsum hills near Little Finland.

Photos / Sounds

What

Desert Prince's Plume (Stanleya pinnata)

Observer

micahlauer

Date

June 7, 2019 09:53 AM MDT

Description

Growing out of the very top of Delicate Arch... A sea of tourists taking selfies under the most well-known arch in the U.S. and of course I'm drawn to the native plant it's wearing as a hat. ha ha.

Photos / Sounds

What

Eastern Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia var. jaegeriana)

Observer

ob1963

Date

November 24, 2013 03:10 PM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Searls' Prairie Clover (Dalea searlsiae)

Date

May 22, 2020 12:04 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Three Hearts (Tricardia watsonii)

Observer

kerinnag

Date

May 13, 2020 10:39 AM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Eureka Valley Dune Grass (Swallenia alexandrae)

Date

March 2020

Photos / Sounds

What

Maguire's Lewisia (Lewisia maguirei)

Date

May 2020

Description

I almost can’t believe it myself, but it has to be this. We just went and saw Lewisia maguirei in the Quinn Canyon Range YESTERDAY. About 150 air miles from this location in the Spring Mountains. About 50 plants. South and west facing limestone slope near top of small ridge. We looked at the sepals of 20 flowers, 19 had 3 sepals and 1 had 4 sepals. Plants had 2-3 flowers per inflorescence. :)!

Photos / Sounds

What

Maguire's Lewisia (Lewisia maguirei)

Observer

coreyk

Date

April 15, 2011 02:53 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Rubber Rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseosa)

Observer

adrienneleihy

Date

October 31, 2019 03:37 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Three Hearts (Tricardia watsonii)

Date

April 19, 2020 08:20 AM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Tuber Anemone (Anemone tuberosa)

Observer

lonnyholmes

Date

April 11, 2020 12:38 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Dodders (Genus Cuscuta)

Date

March 28, 2020 03:50 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Death Valley Monkeyflower (Diplacus rupicola)

Observer

dgreenberger

Date

March 3, 2020 08:35 AM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

American Pika (Ochotona princeps)

Observer

laurenscheinberg

Date

August 13, 2015 03:10 PM HST

Photos / Sounds

What

Singleleaf Pinyon (Pinus monophylla)

Observer

ekoberle

Date

December 28, 2019 07:58 AM PST

Description

Two separate cones near each other in wash adjacent to Mesquite Spring Campground. Must've traveled quite a great distance to get to this point.

Photos / Sounds

What

Sand Ricegrass (Eriocoma hymenoides)

Observer

rhjackso

Date

January 2, 2020 08:34 AM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata)

Observer

rhjackso

Date

January 2, 2020 11:12 AM PST

Photos / Sounds

What

Tecopa Salty Bird's-Beak (Chloropyron tecopense)

Observer

naomibot

Date

September 23, 2018 12:45 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

White-margined Beardtongue (Penstemon albomarginatus)

Observer

coreyjlange

Date

April 22, 2019 03:52 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Ghost Flower (Mohavea confertiflora)

Observer

micrathene

Date

February 18, 2019 02:42 PM MST

Photos / Sounds

What

Yareta (Azorella compacta)

Observer

carmelo_lopez

Date

October 11, 2009

Photos / Sounds

What

Desert Yellowhead (Yermo xanthocephalus)

Observer

walterfertig

Date

June 2011

Description

Yermo xanthocephalus in flower (note the yellow phyllaries)

Photos / Sounds

What

Shockley's Evening-Primrose (Chylismia heterochroma)

Observer

storm_petrel

Date

September 15, 2017 03:46 PM PDT

Description

Pink family? one of the few hardy plants that grow on the Negit islets

Photos / Sounds

What

Yerba Mansa (Anemopsis californica)

Observer

yaelorgad

Date

May 18, 2018 05:41 PM IDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Death Valley Monkeyflower (Diplacus rupicola)

Observer

buzzard

Date

March 2016

Photos / Sounds

What

Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)

Observer

glmory

Date

July 31, 2017 02:13 PM PDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Human (Homo sapiens)

Observer

robberfly

Date

July 25, 2018 12:45 PM PDT

Description

iNaturalists gather at 10,000 ft. to count Butterflies on White Mountain. l to r: @sea-kangaroo @maractwin @catchang @robberfly @leptonia @storm_petral

Photos / Sounds

What

Lavenderleaf Sundrops (Oenothera lavandulifolia)

Observer

carolannie1949

Date

May 29, 2016 11:33 AM MDT

Description

These were blooming all over the area above the Dominguez Canyon, bright spots of yellow opening for one day and then dying, ready for another set to bloom tomorrow. They don't have time for fancy smooth petals, so the wrinkled linen look is in.

A beetle resting in the shade of some petals is par for the course!

Photos / Sounds

What

Pink Plains Beardtongue (Penstemon ambiguus ssp. laevissimus)

Observer

lonnyholmes

Date

May 1, 2018 12:25 PM PDT

Description

ambiguus or thurberi?