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Wildflower List:
Desert Sunflower
Geraea canescens
The desert sunflower, also called hairy desert sunflower or desert gold, is one of the Mojave’s most cheerful spring wildflowers. Belonging to the Aster family (Asteraceae), it is an annual dicot that appears after winter rains and often paints whole valleys yellow during good bloom years.
Appearance
This plant usually grows 1 to 3 feet tall, with long stems holding bright, daisy-like flowers. Each bloom is about 2 to 3 inches across, with golden yellow petals surrounding a darker yellow center. The leaves are green and can be slightly hairy, helping the plant hold moisture in the dry desert air.
Habitat
Geraea canescens thrives on sandy or gravelly soils, especially along washes, open flats, and roadside shoulders. It is common in the Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado deserts below about 3,000 feet. In years of heavy rainfall, it is one of the main flowers responsible for spectacular “superbloom” displays.
Blooming Season
Flowers usually appear from February through May, depending on rainfall and temperature. In warm years with little rain, the display may be scattered, but after generous winter storms, whole fields can be covered in gold.
Ecological and Cultural Notes
Desert sunflowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and butterflies, and their seeds are eaten by birds and rodents. The plant’s scientific name, “Geraea,” comes from the Greek geraios meaning “old man,” a nod to the white hairs on its fruits. These hairs help the seeds disperse in the wind.
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