ERIOGONUM PLUMATELLA

All plants are beautiful in their own way, however some are incredibly striking and have a presence beyond their morphology. Erigonum Plumatella, commonly known by Flat Top Buckwheat or Yucca Buckwheat, is gorgeous to behold. Shades of red, purple, and white extend upwards on slender stalks, making a colorful and elegant statement in its native range, which includes the Pioneertown area.

Yucca Buckwheat rarely exceeds two feet tall, and doesnt spread very broad, adding to its sleek and capitvating profile. When flowering, tiny attractive blooms of white and light yellow cover its forking terminal stems.

In drier seasons, the tops of the plants begin to shrivel, making identification more difficult. Appearing to prefer higher elevations of the Mojave Desert, specimens can be observed growing close to one another in multiple separate small bunches.

In the sun rough rocks they boil

Some stones smooth rolled in a roil

Oh how hard they try to spoil

Peeking petals from the soil

OAK GALLS

Admiring the mystical beauty of an Oak tree under the deep blue sky near Pioneertown calls forth appreciation for the natural world. Those with excessively observant tendancies might also notice odd, apple like attachments, confusingly dissimilar to the acorns expected on local Quercus specimens. They are not fruits, rather Oak Insect Galls.

Known also as Cecidia, galls are masses formed on external tissues of plants or animals. They are created by a range of organisms, including fungi, viruses, and insects. Scientific records indicate they are assembled primarily through a chemical reaction, with speculation on supplimental mechanical processes. Insect galls are those formed by plant eating insects.

Oak Apples are a specific type of Insect Gall, constructed by gall wasps. After formation is complete, it usually houses larva, which eat the inside gall material during development. After achieving maturity, the new insects vacate. Cecidia also have a long history of being harvested for ink or tanning.

My home my home this tree of wasps

Smoothest bark flown dark with flocks

Sting my skin and start to burrow

Swell and sore impart by furrow

PRUNUS FASCICULATA

Without as much protection from the sun, wind, or temperature, plants like Prunus Fasciculata, commonly referred to as Desert Almond, would often fall behind other co-competitors. Many of the fittest rely not only on their genetic gifts, but also the aid provided by being in the lee of barriers such as rocks. Where no adamant assistance is available, dead or dying plant remnants make suitable substitutions. Other living plants also provide cover, and it is not unusual to see several different species growing togther in a tightly intermingled congregation.

Younger Desert Almond specimens can appear as a small mound of densely interwoven, overlapping, light gray twigs. More mature organisms develop woody, trunk like branches, with the bark becoming darker, thicker, and more rough with age. The small leaves are somewhat oblanceolate, meaning much longer than wide, with the widest portion near the tip.

Abscission is a process known to botany whereby plants discard leaves or other previously connected material. Prunus Fasciculata is considerd Decidous because Abscission of leaves occurs in response to environmental processes, for example, an especially arid episode. Occasionally, all leaves will detach from a section revealing the complex branching framework. Desert almond is thought to be ancient, with fossil records suggesting their existance at least 17,000 years ago.

One mistake so sad to all, open sun an unfair brawl, some seek vengeance sharpen blade, others just a little shade

CHILOPSIS LINEARIS

Desert Willow is known to botany as Chilopsis Linearis. A goregous and desirable plant, its growth habit results in many long and winding branches, forming delicate and intricate reaching patterns. The terminal branches tend to take on a weeping stature, hence the common name, however true willows are separately classified.

Chilopsis Linearis has long, pale green foliage which flutters in an agreeable way, especially if fortunate enough to experience when all else is silent. A pleasant fragrance can be detected in its presence, adding to the plants magnetic demeanor. Desert Willow produces flowers in small clusters of purple and white shades, followed by long skinny pods containing seeds.

The newer growths on Desert Willow are more smooth, colored with a mix of reds, browns, and grays, while the older branches and trunk harden, thicken, darken, and split or crack. Observing C. Linearis in the area around Pioneertown will show some specimens with new vegitative growths near the main trunk. These clones, sometimes called 'runners' or 'pups' are a result of vegitative reproduction, and can take months or even years before they become completely established.

How the wind it does caress, scented stems in swirling mess, purple flowers hide the space, around us as you kiss my face

SENEGALIA GREGGII

Senegalia Gregggii, commonly known as Catclaw, is an adept competitor in numerous plant communities of the Mojave Desert. Its appearance is elegant, with spikey stalks of brownish gray, and small, attractive, pale green leaves, which drop during droughts.

Although hearty, Catclaw succumbs to threats. Some examples include foliage herbivory from rabbits, insects invading pods and seeds therein, and hemiparasitic plants. Visable on many Senegalia Greggii specimens are Desert Mistletoe afflictions, which leech their fluids and minerals.

In general, Senegalia Greggii resemble a shrub or small tree, with tight spacing of growths near the center, and longer, spreading, terminal branches, many sticking out at odd angles. Not often taller than 10 feet, the atypical 40 foot monstrosity occurs in wake of an arroyo, somewhere near the area of Pioneertown.

Boulder break in molders clutch, gentle wind the softest touch, crutch for such a seed so tender, mend is how the giants render

LYCIUM COOPERI

Lycium Cooperi is known by the common name Peach Thorn. A customary competitor throughout the Mojave Desert, it makes known its native presence in surrounding Pioneertown. Peach Thorn grows among several plant communities, including Creosote Bush Scrub, Pinyon Juniper Woodland, Joshua Tree Woodland, and zones where they overlap.

Lycium Cooperi is a bushy, erect shrub, distinct enough to easily discearn from Yucca or Cholla species, but harder in comparison to other woody perennial shrubs in the vicinity. Branching habit can be used to establish a reference between the tightly packed reaching formations of L. Cooperi and the more dense overlapping angle patterns of Desert Almond. The striations in the twigs and stems are another diagnistic factor. Desert almond is shades of charcoal throughout, while the new growths on Peach Thorn start out red, turn gray and thicken as they mature, leving behind only small streaks of darker color.

Although generally not as tall as its maximum height of 13 feet, it can form forboding impassable thorny mounds at even a moderate length. Flower clusters are produced in shades of green and white. Fruits are a tiny yellowish berry containing multiple seeds.

My so dry the sun it parches, on and on the dawn it marches, merely seconds morning mist, high in sky bye you are missed

PHORADENDRON CALIFORNICUM

Phoradendron Californicum is also known as Desert Mistletoe, and can easily be overlooked by the casual plant viewer. Even those with persistantly observative dispositions may only notice a nest like configuration among some of the more established desert shrubs. More detailed attenuation will discearn host plants affixed with pronounced clusters of green or brown twig like shoots, some hanging down in swaying strands.

The leafless Desert Mistletoe seems to prefer leguminous shrubs or trees. It is observably abundant in the Pioneertown area attached to Senegalia Greggii and Larrea Tridentata, also Parkinsonia and Prosopis Species. Being a parasitic plant means it acquires some or all of its sustinance from a host organism through specialized penetrating roots. Proradendron Californicum is specifically classified Hemiparisitic, leecheing fluids and minerals but providing its own photosynthesis.

An even more in depth perspective will show applicable specimens with tiny berries in brilliant gradients of orange yellow and brown. They are eaten and dispursed by a native bird species, Phainopepla Nitens, and occasionally leave a sticky red remnant on berry bearing branches.

In the sun among the trees, 

Silent flowing in the breeze, 

Lives a lore that no one sees,

Bringing giants to their knees.

EPHEDRA NEVADENSIS

Although native to the State in its common name, Nevada Jointfir, known botanically as Ephedra Nevadensis, has an endemic range stretching throughout the American Southwest and parts of Mexico. Noted is its preferance for rocky, sandy soils, which comprise much of the earth surrounding Pioneertown. Composed of densely arranged, small, cylindrical, gray green stalks connected in segments, it generally appears as a low growing shrub about 1 foot high, often more broad than tall.

Ephedra Nevadensis is an important forage plant for wild and domesticated sheep. Along with smaller mammals, they assist the organism in reproduction by consuming their seeds and passing them some distance from the original growth. Nevada Jointfir also reproduces vegitatively, with severed stem segments taking root under favorable conditions.

Almost all native cultures near its endemic edges used the beneficial properties of Ephedra species. The custom of processing its stems to make a hot drink was adopted by mormon settlers, eventually leading to the genus being referred to as mormon tea. In spite of accounts depicting the brew relieving ailements of the digestive tract, it was also know to cause disorders if consumed in excess. Chewing the raw stems also seemed to temporarily stave off thirst, an incredibly valuable desert resource.

Cut and cured in native cloth, 

burn and boil healing broth, 

holding hope hard deserts day, 

burst through bindings of the clay

QUERCUS CORNELIUS-MULLERI

Oak trees are represented by the genus Quercus, constituted by approximately 600 different species. Many are endemic North America, however, Quercus Cornelius-Mulleri, commonly Mullers Oak, is one of only two species native to surrounding Pioneertown, the other being Quercus John-Tuckeri, commonly Tuckers Oak.

Although they can be difficult to distinguish, Mullers Oak is generally more of a woody shrub than Tuckers Oak, which eventually achieves a taller, more tree like stance. Quercus John-Tuckeri also seems to be more elusive in the Pioneertown region. Casual passers are likely to encounter Mullers Oak in some of the roadside cuts and arroyos, while those in seek of Tuckers Oak may need to venture further into the margins of the Mojave Desert. 

All Oaks produce acorns as their fruits. Acorns are classified in botany as a Nut, different than nuts sold commerically as food. An acorn is also Indehiscent, meaning the shell does not open naturally to release the seed. The opposite, Dehiscence, classifies bodies tending to split open when mature. Leaves and Acorns of Oaks contain tannic acid, which can be toxic to humans and most domesticated livestock if injested in large amounts. However, the fruits are eaten often by many species of animals in the wild.

Woven leaves with pointed tips, glowing grow from glinting grit, ghast against your past and host where mountains meet the deserts ghost.

ARCTOSTAPHYLOS GLAUCA

Arctostaphylos Glauca, known commonly as Bigberry Manzanita, is a Woody shrub native to the Pioneertown area, and other mountainous habitats in California. Botany makes distinctions in the term Woody, describing plants which grow wood as its structural tissue. Conversely, Plants composed of stems without wood are referred to as Herbacious.

Bigberry Manzanita appears similar to another desert denizen, Jojoba. Both have dense woody twigs and branches, with flat, thick, gray green leaves on tightly spaced petioles, often heavily obscuring the interior growths. The more enticing A. Glauca can be distinguished by a red hue to its stems, more gray shades in its leaves, and eventually growing larger, sometimes reaching 25 feet tall. This plant also has a long lifespan, up to 100 years.

Pioneertowns surrouding elevation stays higher than 4,000 feet on average, bolstering the notation of Arctostaphylos Glauca prefering higher elevations of the Mojave. It becomes additionally abundant when deserts transition to mountains, wherein gradual intermingling of plant communities often occur. Such an observation can be made locally during ascention toward Big Bear Lake from the region of Pioneertown.

Sighing sands they sing in tan, seeds in seek sink snug their plan, wardens wait for weathers weep, daring delve deep sow in seep

ARROYO

An Arroyo, also known as a wash, or creekbed, is a type of naturally occuring variation in elevation, shape, size, position and elemental content of Earths solid surface, referred to as a Landform. Arroyos often occur in desert environments similar to the area surrounding Pioneertown.

Many scientific disciplines use the vast lexicon of Landform terms, which are often arranged by the processes which form them. Arroyos are considerd to be Fluvial Landforms, meaning they are influenced by water. The primary forces at work in the makeup of Fluvial activities are Erosion, where water or wind transports matieral from one location to another, or Deposition, in which material is added to a landform. Some other well known Fluvial Landforms include Cave, Cliff, Canyon, River, Spring, Stream, Swamp, and Valley. Multiple landforms in association are referred to as Terrain.

Streams, rivers, and other natural paths in which waters flow, whether intermittent or constant, are termed Watercourses. An Arroyo described is a fluvial landform watercourse, which seasonally fills with precipitation and flows after enough moisture accumulation. They are especially active during desert flash floods. Plants competing in Arroyo locations must be specially adapted to endure inconsistant cycles of long arid spans, followed by flooding events, which require a crucial period of re-establishment thereafter. 

In the dirt and clay they settle, plant and ant day test their mettle, undisturbed sit snake and bird, until the sound of waters heard.

LEPIDOSPARTUM SQUAMATUM

California Broomsage, a casual reference for the Taxonomical label of Lepidospartum Squamatum, is an aesthetically agreeable plant native to the area around Pioneertown. Usually shrub like reaching up to 6 feet tall, it can form tightly packed groups creating a wide obstacle. Newer, dark green, slender stems, sprout erect from older, supporting gray trunk branches, giving the overall effect of a drawf tree. 

Lepidospartum Squamatum is found in Southern California desert biomes as part of Creosote Bush Scrub and Joshua Tree Woodland, but also occurs in Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral, and mountains, including the foothills leading up to Big Bear Lake. Throughout its native range, it prefers Alluvial areas where loose rocks, silt, clay, sand and other sediment have been bonded by water and deposited in a non marine environment. It also competes well where water temporarily fills and flows after sufficient precipitation, these dry creek beds, also known as Arroyos or Washes are especially active after flash floods. 

California Broomsage is considered to be an indicator species, the presence of such organisms can provide information about the overall wellbeing of an ecological region, often more informative than chemical testing. L. Squamatum bears beautiful yellow flowers August through November, often covering the plant with alluring blooms which sway peacefully in the afternoon mountain breeze.

Float in hot suns burning hue, fight all for a drop of dew, roll with wind so smooth and slender, flowers fire spire splender

YUCCA BREVIFOLIA

Yucca Brevifolia is well known by its common term, Joshua Tree, and association with the National Park of its namesake. Often occuring in biomes alongside one of its similar relatives, Mojave Yucca, they both have strong, sharp, spike like serrated foliage, however those on Joshua Trees are shorter, thinner, and more gray green. Yucca Brevifolia grows taller, branches more, and has more consistant coverage of marcescent leaves. 

Joshua Trees generally do not grow at less than 1,500 feet, mostly absent from the lower Sonoran Desert. Its endemic range passes through Pioneertown at approximately 4,500 feet, and generally indicates the borders of the Mojave Desert. Yucca Brevifolia appear more likely to thrive at elevations closer to or above 3,000 feet, with observable differences between the Specimens in 29 Palms at approximately 2,000 feet, versus the town of Joshua Tree at 2,700, Yucca Valley near 3,400, and Pioneertown. Altitude plays an important role, asserting influence on temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors which affect plants in a variety of ways.

Yucca Brevifolia are extremely hearty and can survive snowy slopes on the way up to Big Bear Lake, to the blazing hot and dry summers in parts Joshua Tree National Park. Flowers bloom February to April in plumes which appear densely packed upon one another. The cluster of flowers, called an inflorescence in botany, tapers as it terminates. Mature specimens provide numerous shade, shelter, and sustinance for wildlife, and were similarly important to native cultures.

Rows of leaves all sharp as blade

Protect hearts of whom seek its shade

Bolder reach to breach the cloud

Those with no speech speak so loud