Flora & Fauna

This tree leads us into Spring as thousands of blooms burst, turning the entire tree into a mass of yellow. There are two varieties of Palo Verde in our canyon. The native variety produces earlier flowers, while the Foothills Palo Verde follows slightly later. As a result, we enjoy a prolonged season of colorful blooms.

A prolific native bush producing yellow flowers against dusty green foliage.

This native tree has a very subtle mauve color and as is unlike any other tree seen in the area. Again, it has outstanding beauty and tends to be a late in the season bloomer Canyon Pass is classified as a Saguaro Forest. These specimens cover the mountains and valleys throughout the Pass. Springtime is the flowering season producing clusters of ivory white blooms and nectar that attract many birds.

This variety flowers early with blooms lasting throughout the season. Colors can vary ranging from a deep yellow to a various shades of red.

There are several varieties of Cholla Cacti. The colors can range through a spectrum of shades from red to yellow.

A favorite bush of hummingbirds and landscapers. This bush produces brilliant red blossoms at the end of each branch. However, throughout the year within a few days of a rainstorm or some form of watering, tiny green leaves form along each trunk. It is very attractive and frequently used by landscapers to supplement other natural desert plantings.

This plant seems to be very selective in where it grows. Mostly one can see displays of Yucca on the Southwestern slopes of the canyon. In the Spring you can find many groups of these magnificent species displaying their fluffy columns of silvery, white blossoms.

Native Wildflower

     

Of course, we cannot overlook Mother Nature’s display of native wildflowers. Depending upon the previous Fall and Winter rains, we can observe many swatches of Penstemon, Verbena, Golden Poppies, Lupine and Fairy Duster as well as many other desert species.

    

The Canyon has a bountiful supply of wildlife. It is common to see species of javelina, desert tortoise, bobcats, hawks, lizards, gila monsters, rabbits, deer, ringtails and foxes. They live in peace with us and provide much entertainment as they roam their territory.