I love the botanical name Amoreuxia. I think it may be the “euxia” part that feels so pleasant to say. And the specific epithet palmatifida is pretty nice too in that it is self explanatory. Something on this plant looks like a hand and it’s the leaves. There are two species of Amoreuxia found in the borderlands and we are the northern most range of both species that range south into Mexico.
Look for Amoruexia blooming in July and August on rocky slopes between 3,500 feet and 5,000 feet. Yeah, it’s going to be hot, but well worth the hike. And the good news is that if you miss the bloom period you will still find the dreamy seed capsules that follow the flowers.
A couple notes: somewhere I have photos of the flowers and the dreamy seed capsules, but I seem to store my digital photos the same way I used to store my slides, all mixed up. I do apologize. There are some nice photos on line if you google the plant or even better, plan a hot muggy hike for next summer on nearby rocky slopes. You won’t regret it.
Bush Muhly is the species Muhlenbergia porteri. There are over 40 species of muhlys found in Arizona and across the southwest. It would be...
The photos are mine
The riparian woodland Ms. Mesquitey and I were hiking in is at around 6,000 ft. in elevation. I think that may be the upper...
