Chylismia claviformis subsp. peirsonii was the source of the sticky pollen that persisted on my shoes for weeks after my March visit to California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
Commonly known as Peirson’s browneyes, this is one of eight subspecies of Chylismia claviformis recognized in the Jepson eFlora for California. The flowers are typically yellow instead of creamy-white (based on CalPhotos and the Jepson key), so that made me doubt my identification–but checking against both the key (using other photos) and James Lightner’s excellent book San Diego County Native Plants, I’m fairly certain of the ID.
What time of day is this lovely pair of photos?
Nearing sunset, bright but nearly shadowless thanks to the diffusion from the high clouds.
Thank you for sharing your botanical excursions, and piquing our curiosity about distant habitats I can no longer, alas, travel to see.
But it keeps me on my toes to watch out for and be amazed at all the familiar unfoldings of spring — so easily ignored, yet always so full of surprises — in my local north-east-american flora. Hurrah for botany !
You’re welcome, Therese. Wish I was able to travel more so I could share my own photos from other parts of the world, but since that isn’t easy, I’m certainly grateful to people from around the world who share their contributions!
The light is gorgeous here, and it’s great to see the closer view as well as the context – and to hear about sticky shoes! A detail like that is also part of the ID, and the experience.
We were also lucky to catch that bloom in A-B. Besides our shoes the dog’s head was also pollen-painted – lovely memories Daniel. So much to see, so much to anticipate – hated to leave and miss any specimens blooming after our time there…….
The pollen certainly was persistent ! It transferred from my blue jeans to a pair of white jeans when hung them up in the closet, very much like lily pollen to remove! Seemingly impossible!
Kathy
Lovely. Gorgeous. Fresh air for a shut in Vermonter. I never think of such a delicate flower on the desert. How naive! Thank you.