"We call them Ranger
Cams," says Chief of Operations Janet Hawks. "Our
rangers and volunteers take pictures as soon as the flowers
start blooming and visitors can then decide when to leave
other states to come here and take their pictures. Updated
information about flowers at each park will also be posted
to help people around the country plan their vacations."
Call the "State Parks Wildflower Hotline" at (602)
542-4988 and customer service staff will provide even more
details for long distance travelers.
"We want the visitors to check the website regularly,
look at the pictures and then drive out into the surrounding
deserts," said Hawks.
According to Picacho Peak Park Manager Rob Young, "At
Picacho the rain data are showing 5.4 inches by the end
of January this year which is the accumulated total since
September of 2007. A great flower year was 2001 when there
was 5.77 inches of rain by the end of January, so we believe
with the rains in February, there should be some magnificent
Mexican poppy blooms. The mountain is greening up and we
see the small plants are looking healthy this year."
Flowers in the desert bloom based on the elevations, the
rainfall at a certain area, and the temperature. Usually
the order of the bloom is: bladderpods, Mexican poppies,
chuparosa, globemallow, brittlebush and then other cacti
species. Already on some trails in the valley, the little
yellow bladderpods, are creating yellow carpets across the
landscapes. The tiny yellow-cross style flower gets its
name from the small round fruit pods that develop after
pollination. Green landscapes are early indications that
the wildflowers may be glorious by early March. Other great
flower blooming years in Arizona were 1995, 1998, 2001,
2005 when there was more than eight inches by the end of
February.
The public is encouraged to tour State Parks to see flowers
on weekdays when there is less traffic and there is plenty
of parking. The poppies are just now starting to pop up
and if it stays cool they may not bloom fully until the
middle of February or early March.
Wildflower books are available with brochures and maps in
rural areas at all of the State Parks. The "State Trails
Guide" with 550 hiking trails is also available at
all of the State Parks. For details on different areas around
the state, call the State Parks Wildflower Hotline (8am-5pm
weekdays) at (602) 542-4988 or watch "Ranger Cam"
featuring pictures taken regularly (www.azstateparks.com).
To reach the headquarters for the State Parks call (602)
542-4174.
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