Desert five-spot
Eremalche rotundifolia
Desert Five-Spot is one of the Mojave Desert’s most beloved spring wildflowers. With its delicate pink petals and unique deep red spots, this bloom is a favorite among wildflower enthusiasts and one of the highlights of a good bloom year.
Appearance:
A low-growing annual, typically 4 to 12 inches tall. It has round, soft, scalloped leaves and large, cup-shaped flowers with five pale pink petals. Each petal features a distinct dark red or maroon spot near its base—hence the name "five-spot." As the flower matures, the petals often close to form a globe-like shape.
Habitat:
Thrives in sandy desert flats, washes, and gentle slopes. Common in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, especially after a wet winter.
Bloom Time:
Blooms from March to May, depending on rainfall and elevation.
Pollinators:
Attracts bees and other small insects. Its shape and markings help guide pollinators to the center of the flower.
Note:
Desert Five-Spot is a desert gem—small, subtle, and absolutely stunning up close. It’s a classic example of the beauty that can emerge in even the harshest environments with just a little rain.
creosote bush scrub and sandy wash habitat from below sea level to 3700 feet elevation.