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Floristic List for Fish Creek Mountains, Imperial County

This floristic list is for a canyon on the east-side of the Fish Creek Mountains in west-central Imperial County that was visited on 19 April 2000. The canyon is located at 33° 00' 25''N, 115° 59' 07''W at about 100 m elevation. Although it is a very dry year, the upper parts of the canyon contain a few annuals that are flowering including Mohavea confertiflora, Camissonia cardiophylla, and various species of Phacelia; plus, many of the perennials of the canyon and the lower bajada are also in flower such as Prosopis glandulosa, Larrea tridentata, and Hyptis emoryi. The canyon walls and upper slopes are dominated by Fouquieria splendens, Encelia farinosa, Pleurocoronis pleuriseta, and Agave deserti. The canyon bottom or arroyo area is mostly Psorothamnus spinosus, Hyptis emoryi, Acacia greggii, and Bebbia juncea. The lower bajada and flats near the canyon mouth have high numbers of Prosopis glandulosa, Larrea tridentata, Ambrosia dumosa, and Ferocactus cylindraceus. There is no question that after some good rains, the floristic list for this area may double or even triple in size.