March 14, 2007 Big Bend Reports: Things are picking up, and almost everything that was in bloom 1-2 weeks ago is still doing well. Several showy plant species have started to flower in the lower- and mid- elevations of the park. Giant daggers are sending up flower stalks en masse in Panther Junction and Dagger Flat, with flowering probably 7-10 days away. Torrey yucca continues to produce racemes of semi-succulent white flowers. Large clusters of bright purple fragrant flowers have appeared on Texas mountain laurel (also called mescal bean), shrubs or small trees found around mid-elevation washes and canyons. Thickets of appropriately-named bee-shrub have small clusters of white, perfumed, flowers. These will probably continue to flower for months. Several species of wolfberry, including Torrey’s, Berlandier, and downy, are in flower in scattered locations from the river to 4000 feet. Some low-growing forbs that are starting to show include magenta desert verbena, and the yellow composites dogweed and yerba raton. A few yellow bladderpod mustards have appeared above 3000 feet. Within the last two weeks, some nice stands of Big Bend bluebonnets have flowered west of the Basin Junction.

Several Echinocereus cacti continue to bloom, and the low elevation prickly pears (spiny-fruited and blind) have a few open flowers and plenty of buds. The purple prickly pears and dog chollas have expanded buds and buds are starting to emerge on Comanche and Englemann’s prickly pear above 3000 feet.

The gymnosperms are getting into the act as well. Several species of ephedra (sometimes called joint-fir or Mormon tea) are producing male and female cones on separate plants. Although the bunches of cones, especially the males, look something like flowers, they are actually more like pine cones if you look at them closely.

Feb 25, 2007 DUSA Reports: The Spring Break period in mid-March is the busiest time of the year in Big Bend National Park. For several weeks, the demand for campsites and overnight lodging will be far greater than the capacity available within the park. In order to get the most out of your visit, it is best to plan ahead, have alternatives and be flexible. Bluebonnets and other small wildflowers are beginning to bloom along the lower elevations of the park. The primitive River Road and the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive offer some opportunities to see wildflowers. The number of blooming bluebonnets remains well below "normal." J. Sirotnak, Park Botanist

Jan 20, 2007 DUSA Reports: Big Bend Park has had lots of rain this month. Big Bend National Park is currently experiencing winter weather conditions. The spring wildflower bloom usually peaks by early March. At the same time in early March, the cactus and yucca begin blooming, often peaking by mid-April. The century plants generally send up their bloom stalks beginning in May.

Jan 1, 2007 DUSA Reports: Wildflowers not yet in bloom.

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