(Deming NM)
I’ve done some hiking while traveling through the Chihuahuan Desert of the southwest. Among my favorite sights are the rocks and mountains. However, along the trails are many interesting plants.
Desert plants along trail
I’ve been taking photos, and then trying to identify them. Most of the parks I’ve camped at have paths with some of the plants tagged. Here are a few that have received names.
Sotol
Prickly Pear and Creosote
These pictures were taken during the winter months. I’ve been told the plants can look very different at other times. Especially in the spring when the desert blooms. Some may be familiar, but others not so much.
Featherplume
Yucca
As an artist, I’ve always been more interested in the shapes, textures and colors than with naming it. But, now I’m trying to learn about the plants. Food, medicine and tools are just some of the uses for them.
Mormon Tea
Fishhook Barrel Cactus
The strolls along desert trails is something I really enjoy. I’ll continue to photograph the local flora in the quest to familiarize myself with desert plants.
Camps: Various
Scene: Desert trails
We try to learn the names every year, but when we come back the next year we’ve forgotten most of them. Hope your memory is better!
Had the same thought. So, I started a photo album to document them. Perhaps over time I’ll be able to remember.