Carpet of purple phoecelia

Saratoga Springs, Death Valley
April 1978

This close-up shows that several species of flowers comprise this bloom. Phoecelia (Phoecelia Eremalche rotundifolia) is dominant. But in the center of the image is a desert fivespot (Malvastrum rotundifolium). The petals are fairly closed but one dark red spot of the "five spots" can just be seen in the circular opening.

Photography by
Dr. Sharon Johnson
drsharonjohnson@comcast.net
Imagery & site design by
Kat G. Kalamaras