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McDowell Mountains - Scottsdale, Arizona

Wildfires raged over a large portion of the mountain sides and hills within the McDowell Mountain Park in July of 1996. Although lightning sparked the blaze, human activity was responsible for the great extent and severity of the burn. Before establishment of the park this area was heavily overgrazed by range cattle which encouraged an extensive woody shrub layer ... shrubs such as catclaw acacia and foothill palo verde that cattle tend to exclude from their forage. When the park was established some two decades ago the soil crust was disrupted almost everywhere and there was an abundance of invasive weed seeds built up in the soil: red brome grass, london rocket, buffel grass , filaree and mustards. A moist winter spring was followed by intense drought leaving conditions ripe for wildfire: plenty of standing dead wood from excessive shrubs and an abundance of dried weeds and grasses.

In human terms this tragedy will take several generations to overcome. Even now after seven years, hundreds of scorched saguaros stand as reminders. Other saguaros, still alive, are battling chronic infections that invaded through burn wounds. But on nature's time scale the succession is proceeding rapidly with brittle bush leading the way. On Lousley Hill in December 2002 entire hillsides were densely covered with 40 to 60 cm tall brittle bush shrubs - spring time in this area will, as a result, be briliant yellow with all of the flowers. Many other shrubs and trees are also regenerating well, some having sprouted from fire-resistant root crowns. Jojoba, foothill palo verde, and ratany were all found with vigorous regrowth. This regrowth is aided in part by the fertilizer contained in the ashes left by the fire.

The main entrance to McDowell Mountain Regional Park, part of the Maricopa County park system, is off McDowell Mountain Road four miles north of Fountain Hills. It is a large park covering 8538 hectares. There are many trails, picnic areas and camping. A 24 km loop trail through the flat desert area is very popular with mountain bikers. Mountain bikes are not permitted on the Lousley and Scenic Trails. There is a $5 per vehicle entrance fee.

The summit of Lousley Hill provides a surprisingly good view of various mountain ranges at all compass directions:

Photo © Mike Plagens

This saguaro was injured in the 1996 McDowell Mountain fire. It may have struggled to survive for several years before infection finally killed it. The skeleton may stand another decade or two before the support roots are sufficiently weakened by termites and soil fungi to permit toppling by the wind. In the mean time it offers refuge to beetles, spiders, scorpions, and bees. Photo taken December 1st., 2002.
Photo © Mike Plagens

The fire removed virtually all vegetation from the surface of Lousley Hill in 1996. But now an abundance of brittle bush covers the hill side. Photo taken December 1st., 2002.
Click here to view Topo Map at Topozone.com

Birds

In general order of abundance:

  1. Gambel's Quail - S,F,W,Sp the after-burn habitat seems to be very favorable to these birds.
  2. White-crowned Sparrow F,W,Sp-- common to abundant winter birds with conspicuous white-striped head.
  3. Verdin - S,F,W,Sp Tiny birds, barely larger than a hummingbird. Drab gray brown with a majestic yellow head.
  4. Rock Wren - S,F,W,Sp Very common little birds which frequently give spirited high pitched trills while perched atop prominants. Their drab gray and brown color blends perfectly with the desert colors.
  5. Mourning Dove - S,F,W,Sp
  6. House Finch - S,F,W,Sp
  7. Gila Woodpecker - S,F,W,Sp
  8. White-winged Dove - S
  9. Black-tailed Gnatcatcher - S,F,W,Sp
  10. Phainopepla - S,F,W,Sp
  11. Canyon Towhee - S,F,W,Sp
  12. Curve-billed Thrasher - S,F,W,Sp
  13. Costa's Hummingbird- Sp,S
  14. Common Raven - W,Sp Conspicuous, large, jet black birds that soar above looking for food.
  15. House Sparrows- S,F,W,Sp
  16. Black-throated Sparrow - S,F,W,Sp
  17. Cactus Wren - S,F,W,Sp
  18. Northern Cardinal - S,F,W,Sp
  19. Say's Phoebe- S,F,W,Sp
  20. Violet-green Swallow- Sp
  21. American Kestrel S,F,W,Sp
  22. Cooper's Hawk F,W,Sp
Black-throated Sparrow Photo © Mike Plagens

Black-throated Sparrows have distinctive facial markings.

Mammals

  1. Coyote
  2. Audubon's Cottontail
  3. White-tailed Woodrat - a huge pile of teddy bear cholla joints at the east end of the Lousley Hill ridge top represents the nest makings of many generations.
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Audubon's Cottontail Photo by Mike Plagens

Audubon's Cottontail may be more abundant because of a shortage of predators such as rattlesnakes.

Cacti

In order of Abundance:
  1. Buckhorn Cholla (Opuntia acanthocarpa) --
  2. Saguaro Cactus (Cereus giganteus) --
  3. Teddy Bear Cholla (Opuntia bigelovii) --
  4. Compass Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus acanthodes) -- Spines tinged with red and yellow.
  5. Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus engelmannii) --
  6. Fishhook Pincushion (Mammillaria grahmii ) --

Shrubs and Trees

Most common species listed first.

  1. Brittle Bush (Encelia farinosa) -- Leafless after drought or frost. Leaves are silvery green and flowers are bright yellow.
  2. Triangle-leaf Bursage(Ambrosia deltoidae) -- The most common plant especially on the flats and shallow slopes. Often leafless after periods of drought or hard frost.
  3. Creosote Bush (Larrea tridentata) -- dark evergreen shrub with shiny, resinous leaves and ashy or dark wirey twigs.
  4. Foothill Palo Verde (Cercidium microphyllum) --
  5. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) -- large shrubs with leathery, dark olive green leaves
  6. Ironwood (Olneya tesota) -- common
  7. Wolfberry (Lycium spp.) --
  8. Cat-Claw Acacia (Acacia greggiii) - mostly along the washes
  9. Desert Hackberry (Celtis pallidum) - along larger washes
  10. Ratany (Krameria grayi) -- purplish cast to woody stems
  11. Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) --
  12. Chuparosa (Justicia californica) --
  13. Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla) --
  14. Brickel Bush (Brickelia coulteri) --
  15. Sweet Bush (Bebbia juncea) --
  16. Mormon Tea (Ephedra aspera) --
  17. Canyon Ragweed (Ambrosia artemesiafolia) - mostly along the washes
  18. Desert Mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) - Parasitic shrub growing upon various desert trees including Palo Verde and Ironwood.
  19. Desert Tobacco (Nicotiana trigonophylla) --
  20. Golden Eye (Viguiera deltoidea) -- fairly common along the trail
  21. Desert Senna (Senna covesii) --
  22. Milkweed Vine (Sarcostemma cynanchoides) -- growing among wash bank shrubs
  23. Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) - peach colored blooms after periods of rain otherwise it is difficult to find
  24. Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi) --
  25. White-thorn Acacia (Acacia constricta) --
  26. Gray Thorn (Zizyphus obtusifolia) --
  27. Trixis (Trixis californica) --
  28. Janusia (Janusia gracilis) - a twisty, viney plant
  29. Flat-top Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum) --
  30. Snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) --
  31. Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) - mostly along the washes
 Globe Mallow Photo © Mike Plagens

Butterflies too!

Hackberry Butterfly, Painted LadyMarine Blue, Checkered White Butterfly.

Wildflowers


March 8th, 1998

A clear, cool, brisk morning. Probably not a whole lot more like this before the heat of summer begins in ernest. McDowell Mountain Park is east of Scottsdale, Arizona. To get to the park, drive east from Scottsdale on Shea Blvd. to Fountain Hills, then turn north on McDowell Mountain Road 4 miles to the park entrance.

A wildfire burned a large portion of the McDowells in 1996. Many beautiful saguaro cactus and desert trees were killed and the local media hyped the event as a total ruination of the environment. Nature, of course, takes quite a different view. The fire, set by lightning, has simply reset the stage for a magnificent renewal. This spring presents a fabulous wildflower show. And with the wildflowers comes an abundance of insects and seeds, which in turn has attracted flocks and flocks of birds. The habitat is quickly rejuvenating with a different mix of plants and animals. $5.00 entrance fee per vehicle.

Common Name
Family
Genus		 Flower Color Flower Size & Shape Special Notes and Info Where to Look
Brittle Bush
Asteraceae
Encelia farinosa		 Yellow-Bright 5 cm dia. daisies shrub mostly 1 m tall; leaves usu. silvery soft Road and hillsides
Desert Marigold
Asteraceae
Baileya		 Yellow-Bright All yellow daisy, up to 6 cm dia. Flowers on tall stems from basal rosette Along washes and roadsides
Triangle-leaf Bursage
Asteraceae
Ambrosia deltoidae		 Green -Yellow Pollen No petals. Spikes of green clusters shrub mostly < 1 m tall Abundant; A dominant shrub. Causes hayfever
Canyon Ragweed
Asteraceae
Ambrosia ambrosioides		 Green no petals. many on a spike 1 to 2 m tall. Causes hay fever. Large, course leaves Common; In and along desert washes, roadsides
Odora
Asteraceae
Porophyllum		 Burgandy-Green look like dandelions that don't open all the way Herbaceous about 70 cm tall. Pungent smelling foliage Common; Near trees, cliffs, wash banks
Golden Eye
Asteraceae
Viguiera		 Yellow Yellow daisies; 4 cm across Woody bush up to 1 m tall; leaves have sandpaper texture Rocky slopes
Trixis
Asteraceae
Trixis californica		 Yellow 1 cm across. Composite. Dark green leafy sub-shrub. Less than 1 m tall Uncommon; esp. in shade of Palo Verdes or boulders
Comb Bur
Boraginaceae
Pectocarya		 White Minute w/4 or 5 petals Most plants are less than 3 cm tall at maturity! Abundant; Especially on flats
Cryptantha-Popcorn Flower
Boraginaceae
Cryptantha spp.		 White v. small w/5 petals; numerous on a scorpioid inflorescence low herb w/bristley hairs Abundant; Open flats and especially in shade of desert trees
Orange Fiddleneck
Boraginaceae
Amsinkia		 Orange flowers small w/5 petals; flowers many on scorpioid inflorescence herb 30 to 60 cm tall; inflorescence unfurls in the shape of the end of a violin---hence the common name, Fiddlehead; bristly hairs Abundant; Esp. in shade of desert trees and shrubs
Jojoba
Buxaceae
Simmondsia		 Green No petals. Separate male and female shrub A woody shrub 1 - 1.5 m tall Common; Rocky slopes; Wash banks
Bladderpod
Cruciferae
Lesquerella		 Yellow-Bright 4 petals; many flowers crowded on spikes herb 15 to 30 cm tall Common; forms brilliant carpets of bright yellow across desert flats and slopes
London Rocket
Cruciferae
Sisymbrium irio		 Yellow 4 petals, 3 mm across abundant weed. Many flowers on a spike up to 1 m tall. Seeds in long pod Common; disturbed soil; roadsides
Wild Mustard
Cruciferae
Brassica tournifortii		 White or Yellow 4mm, 4 petalls tall exotic weed w/ large leaves up to 25 cm common; Roadsides, Picnic areas, disturbed soil.
Pepper Grass
Cruciferee
Lepidium		 White Small, 2 mm, 4 petals Herbs 30 cm tall. Delicate racemes. Disc-shaped seeds 3 mm dia. Abundant; Roadsides; beneath Palo Verde Trees
Mormon Tea
Ephedraceae
Ephedra		 Brown Cones not flowers! 1 cm long. So-Called Joint Fir. Leafless stems appear segmented. Common; Dunes, rocky slopes.
Filaree
Geraniaceae
Erodium		 Lavender lowers small w/5 petals herb growing almost flat on soil; leaves often tinged red. Common; Near roads and parking areas. Geranium scented leaves
Wild Heliotrope
Hydrophylaceae
Phacelia distans		 Blue 10mm, 5 petals Several flowers open at once on scorpioid inflorescence. Herbaceous. Uncommon; Shade of trees and cliffs
Lupine
Leguminosae
Lupinus sparsiflorus		 Blue-Purple 7 mm; Pea Flower Palmately divided leaves. Spikes of showy flowers Roadsides, hillsides, flats, sides of trails
Hill Locust
Leguminosae
Lotus humistratus		 Yellow 4mm, pea flower Compound leaves. Plant grows prostrate over ground forming little mats. gentle slopes
Bluedicks
Liliaceae
Dichelostema		 Blue-Purple 7 mm, 3 petals, somewhat tube-shaped Several flowers on tall slender stem 30 cm. Grows from bulb. Grass-like leaves Common; esp. on slopes and hillsides
Desert Globe Mallow
Malvaceae
Sphaeralcia ambigua		 Orange-Red-Pink About 15 mm wide & 5 petals Robust shrubby herb 2 m tall Along roadsides, wash banks, and hillsides
Fairy Duster
Mimosoideae
Calliandra		 Pink A puff-ball cluster of anther filaments A woody shrub < 0.5 m tall Rocky hillsides, slopes, road edges
Trailing Four O'Clock
Nyctaginaceae
Allionia		 White-Pink 5 petals, 12 mm across Herb trailing over low twigs of bushes. Leaves sticky and opposite on stems. Below Palo Verdes, next to boulders
Mexican Gold Poppy
Papaveraceae
Eschscholtzia		 Orange 6 cm across, 5 petals Low herb with finely discected leaves Several good patches.; On gentle slopes.
Anemone
Ranunculaceae
Anemone		 White 2½ cm, usu. 7 petals herb. palmately divided leaves. Rare; hillsides, in shade of cliffs
Wolf Berry
Solanaceae
Lycium spp.		 Cream-Purple 4 mm long tubes w/4 or 5 pts. Woody shrubs, 2 m, with some thorns. Hummingbird plant. Gets red berries. Common; hillsides, washbanks
Bowlesia
Umbelliferae
Bowlesia		 Green Minute w/5 petals small herb w/5 to 7 lobed leaf Uncommon; forms carpets of green beneath palo verdes
Desert Mistletoe
Viscaceae
Phoradendron californicum		 Green-Yellow 3mm, not showy Grows as clumps in palo verdes and acacias. Stems leafless. Flowers give off powerful sweet fragrance. Uncommon; In small trees.
Creosote Bush
Zygophyllaceae
Larrea		 Yellow 5 petals, 15 mm across dark green shrub w/fuzzy seeds dominant shrubs throughout desert

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Copyright Michael J. Plagens, 1999-07