By Stephen Ingram, Nature Photography
The northern Mojave Desert, which includes eastern Inyo County and small
northern portions of San Bernardino and Kern counties, is
inhabited by approximately 1300 vascular plant species from at
least 93 families. More than 30 taxa are endemic to this area.
This vast region, much of which is part of Death Valley National
Park (DVNP), encompasses numerous plant habitats, ranging from
alkali playas and sand dunes below sea level, up to the
subalpine habitats of 11,049 foot Telescope Peak in the Panamint
Mountains. Other important plant habitats include alluvial fans,
limestone ridges and canyons, springs and seeps, upland
vegetation dominated by shrubs common in the Great Basin, and
pinyon-juniper woodlands.
The species shown below represent a small but noteworthy
example of the diversity and endemism of the Northern Mojave
Flora. These species include shrubs, perennials and annuals,
neo-endemics and relict endemics. They include those that are
common and widespread, and those that are rare with very narrow
distributions.
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Enceliopsis covillei (Asteraceae) Panamint daisy.
Endemic to the west side of the Panamint Range, on
hillsides and canyons with gypsum soils. This huge,
amazing daisy is the logo for the California Native
Plant Society. Photographed in Wildrose Canyon, DVNP.
CNPS List 1B. |
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Phacelia nashiana (Hydrophyllaceae) Charlotte's phacelia.
This showy species is endemic to the northwestern Mojave
in Mojave mixed scrub and Joshua tree woodlands on
granitic soils. Also occurs on the east slope of the
Tehachapi Mountains. Photographed in Short Canyon,
Eastern Sierra, southern Inyo Co.
CNPS List 1B. |
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Salvia funerea (Lamiaceae) Death Valley sage.
Endemic to Northern Mojave, in dry washes and canyons.
This unique, attractive shrub is locally common in lower
canyons surrounding Death Valley. Photographed at the
mouth of Echo Canyon, DVNP.
CNPS List 4. |
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Calochortus kennedyi (Liliaceae) Desert mariposa. This
colorful species is fairly common in creosote-bush scrub
and higher into pinyon-juniper woodland. Occurs
throughout the Mojave into NV and AZ. The
yellow-flowered variety (C. kennedyi var. munzii) is
less common. Photographed in Joshua Flats, Inyo
Mountains. |
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Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis (Onagraceae) Eureka Dunes
evening-primrose. This beautiful, fragrant
species is endemic to the sand dunes of Eureka Valley.
Photographed on lower part of Eureka Dunes, DVNP.
CNPS List 1B, CA Rare,
US endangered. |
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Swallenia alexandrae (Poaceae) Eureka Valley dune grass.
Endemic to sand dunes in Eureka Valley. This monotypic
species is a relict endemic whose closest relatives are
Old World genera, but Swallenia's taxonomic position is
currently being investigated with partial funding from
the Bristlecone Chapter. Photographed at Eureka Dunes,
DVNP.
CNPS List 1B, CA Rare,
US endangered. |
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Dedeckera eurekensis (Polygonaceae) July gold. Endemic to
limestone areas in Panamint, Last Chance and White-Inyo
Ranges. First discovered by Mary DeDecker (in what is
now known as Dedeckera Canyon) in 1975 and named for her.
Photographed on slope of Dedeckera Canyon above Eureka
Valley, DVNP.
CNPS List 1B, CA Rare. |
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Maurandya petrophila (Scrophulariaceae) Rocklady. Endemic to
the Grapevine Mountains, on limestone walls, known so
far only from Fall and Titus Canyons. This rare species
is a treasure to see in flower. Photographed on
limestone wall of Titus Canyon, DVNP. CNPS List 1B, CA
Rare. |
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Mimulus rupicola (Scrophulariaceae) Death Valley monkeyflower.
Endemic to the Northen Mojave, on limestone cliffs and
outcrops. One of Mary DeDecker's favorite species, and
featured on the cover of the first edition of Flora
of the Northern Mojave Desert, California. Photographed on limestone wall of Echo Canyon, DVNP.
CNPS List 4. |
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Penstemon fruticiformis var. fruticiformis (Scrophulariaceae) Desert
mountain penstemon. Occurs in canyons and washes
of the southern Eastern Sierra and desert mountains. The
uncommon P. fruticiformis var. amargosae occurs in the
Kingston Mountains and in western NV. Photographed on
floor of Dedecker Canyon above Eureka Valley, DVNP. |
About the Photographer
STEPHEN INGRAM came to photography with a background in
botany. He received an M.S. degree in Botany from U.C.S.B. and
became more seriously interested in photography while working in
Costa Rica and at Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida,
where he was the herbarium manager.
His photos have been published in several books, calendars,
field guides, as notecards, and in magazines such as The
American Gardener, Backpacker, The Nature Conservancy, Nature's
Best, Outdoor California, Sierra, Sierra Heritage, and
others.
Stephen Ingram currently serves as President of the
Bristlecone Chapter of the California Native Plant Society.
Stephen can be reached through Stephen
Ingram Nature Photography.
Photos and text © 2002 Stephen
Ingram. All rights reserved.
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Dedicated to the Preservation of California Native Flora