Native
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
Desert slopes
Silver leaves and bright yellow flowers make this a familiar desert shrub.
Explore plant Record a plant sightingFlora of the Coachella Valley
A photographic field guide
Get to know the plants around you.
From native desert shrubs and mountain trees to the ornamentals in our gardens. Explore the Coachella Valley’s plant life through photographs by Mark Miller.
46 plant profiles · Desert, gardens & nearby mountains
Brittlebush · A desert native Native plants belong to California’s deserts or the surrounding mountains. Habitat notes help distinguish valley-floor plants from regional and higher-elevation natives.
Non-native plants come from elsewhere and appear here in cultivated landscapes. Growing well in our climate does not make a plant locally native.
Start with the clues you noticed
See the bigger picture
I saw a plant…
Choose any clues you remember; leave the rest open. These are possible matches from this collection, not a confirmed identification. Color includes conspicuous bracts and varies by species or cultivar. A plant without flowers today may still match its usual bloom color.
No plants match those filters.
Try removing one clue, or reset all filters. A plant you saw may not be included in this collection.
19 plant profiles
Native flora
The plants that tell the story of our deserts, oases and mountains. Regional entries are identified on each card.
Native
Cheesebush / Burrobrush
Ambrosia salsola
La Quinta Cove · desert washes
A pale, twiggy desert shrub. Photo identification is provisional without a close view of leaves or flowers.
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Native
Fishhook Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus species
Rocky desert slopes
The Art Smith Trail photograph shows a local barrel cactus. California barrel cactus occurs along this trail.
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Native
Joshua Tree
Yucca brevifolia
High desert
A tree-like yucca of the Mojave Desert, best associated with higher desert country.
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Native
Fremont Cottonwood
Populus fremontii
Washes & water
Broad leaves and an open canopy mark this tree of places with dependable moisture.
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Native
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
Desert floor
Small resinous leaves and yellow flowers belong to one of the desert’s defining shrubs.
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Native
Teddy Bear Cholla
Cylindropuntia bigelovii
Desert slopes
Dense golden spines catch the light. Admire this cactus without touching.
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Native
California Fan Palm
Washingtonia filifera
Desert oases
The native fan palm of our desert oases; a different plant from the many imported palms.
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Native
Chuparosa (Hummingbird Bush)
Justicia californica
Desert washes
Red tubular flowers make chuparosa a natural place to watch for hummingbirds.
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Native
Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
Desert slopes
Tall spiny canes can leaf out after rain. Ocotillo is a shrub, not a cactus.
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Native
Desert Ironwood
Olneya tesota
La Quinta Cove · desert washes
Gray-green paired leaflets and woody branches point to this Sonoran Desert tree; the photo identification awaits flowers or pods.
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Native
Palo Verde
Parkinsonia species
Desert washes
Native palo verde species grow in the region; garden selections may also be hybrids.
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Native
Desert Lavender
Condea emoryi · also Hyptis emoryi
Desert washes
Pale purple flowers and soft gray foliage distinguish this aromatic desert shrub.
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Native
Mojave Yucca
Yucca schidigera
High desert
Rigid sword-shaped leaves and a rugged trunk give this desert yucca its silhouette.
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Native
Jeffrey Pine
Pinus jeffreyi
Mountain forest
A mountain tree of the San Jacinto region, rather than a native of the hot valley floor.
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Native
Artemisia dracunculus (Wild Tarragon)
Artemisia dracunculus
Mountain & upland
The wild native plant should be distinguished from cultivated culinary tarragon.
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Native
Cliff Goldenbush (Ericameria cuneata)
Ericameria cuneata
Rocky mountains
A compact shrub with small leaves and yellow flower clusters on rocky terrain.
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Native
Engelmann’s Prickly Pear
Opuntia engelmannii
California desert species
Native to California; this profile features a cultivated plant at The Living Desert.
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Native
Honey Mesquite
Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana
Washes & mesquite dunes
Feathery leaves, long seed pods and spreading shade connect this tree to desert habitat.
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24 plant profiles
Non-native flora
Garden plants from other regions, photographed here in the Coachella Valley. Non-native does not automatically mean invasive.
Non-native
Fever Tree
Vachellia xanthophloea
The Living Desert · Palm Desert
Yellow-green bark, fine leaves and paired pale thorns distinguish this African tree.
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Non-native
Texas Olive
Cordia boissieri
The Living Desert · Palm Desert
White flowers with yellow throats rise above broad, softly textured gray-green leaves.
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Non-native
Mexican Fan Palm
Washingtonia robusta
Rancho Mirage landscapes
A tall fan palm with a slender trunk and compact crown; photographed trees may include hybrids.
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Non-native
Red Bird of Paradise
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Coachella Valley gardens
Orange and yellow blooms rise above delicate foliage on this cultivated landscape shrub.
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Non-native
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea species & hybrids
South American origins
Colorful papery bracts bring vivid color to walls, courtyards and garden plantings.
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Non-native
Organ Pipe Cactus
Stenocereus thurberi
Arizona & Mexico
A Sonoran Desert native elsewhere, grown here as a sculptural garden cactus.
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Non-native
Yucca Rostrata
Yucca rostrata
Texas & Mexico
A rounded crown of narrow blue-green leaves distinguishes this ornamental yucca.
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Non-native
Agave Tequilana (Blue Agave)
Agave tequilana
Mexico
Blue agave is cultivated here; it is different from our locally native desert agave.
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Non-native
Agave Americana (Century Plant)
Agave americana
Native range outside California
Large spiny rosettes make century plant a familiar feature of desert landscaping.
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Non-native
Golden Barrel Cactus
Kroenleinia grusonii · also Echinocactus
Central Mexico
Golden spines and a rounded shape make this cactus a recognizable garden favorite.
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Non-native
Desert Plains Fountain Grass
Ornamental fountain grass cultivar
Garden selection
A named ornamental grass cultivar, rather than a grass native to the Coachella Valley.
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Non-native
Sweet Acacia (Acacia farnesiana)
Vachellia farnesiana
Native range outside California
Fragrant yellow flower balls; Calflora lists sweet acacia as non-native to California.
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Non-native
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Tropical Africa
Upright, patterned leaves make snake plant familiar in containers and interiors.
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Non-native
The Crown of Thorns
Euphorbia milii
Madagascar
A spiny ornamental succulent with colorful bracts surrounding its small flowers.
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Non-native
Eremophila maculata
Eremophila maculata
Australia
Spotted emu bush brings tubular flowers to cultivated desert landscapes.
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Non-native
Bottlebrush
Callistemon / Melaleuca species
Australia
Brush-like flower clusters are the most recognizable feature of these ornamentals.
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Non-native
Firecracker Plant
Russelia equisetiformis
Mexico & Central America
Arching stems carry a cascade of red tubular flowers in garden settings.
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Non-native
Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells)
Tecoma stans
Native range outside California
Yellow trumpet-shaped blooms brighten planted landscapes throughout the valley.
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Non-native
Thevetia (Yellow Oleander)
Cascabela thevetia
Tropical Americas
Glossy foliage and yellow flowers identify this ornamental. All parts are poisonous.
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Non-native
Salvia darcyi (Darcy’s Sage)
Salvia darcyi
Mexico
Scarlet flower spikes make this sage a striking part of cultivated gardens.
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Non-native
Mexican Evening Primrose (Oenothera speciosa)
Oenothera speciosa
Central U.S. & Mexico
Pale pink flowers spread across this introduced, low-growing perennial.
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Non-native
Lantana
Lantana species & cultivars
Tropical American origins
Rounded clusters of small flowers bring color to garden borders and ground cover.
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Non-native
Agave Attenuata
Agave attenuata
Mexico
Smooth, arching leaves form soft-looking rosettes on this ornamental agave.
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Non-native
Salvia greggii x microphylla
Salvia greggii × microphylla
Garden hybrid
A cultivated sage hybrid with tubular flowers, rather than a locally native sage.
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3 plant profiles
A closer look at plant names
These profiles need species confirmation. Common names can refer to both native and non-native plants, so their status is left open.
Species check
Skeletonleaf Goldeneye
Likely Viguiera stenoloba
The Living Desert · Palm Desert
Small yellow daisies on slender stalks above deeply divided, narrow foliage. Photo-based identification; confirmation pending.
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Species check
Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia species · species not confirmed
Species matters
Prickly pears include both native and introduced species. The current profile does not establish which one is pictured.
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Species check
Jumping Cholla Cactus
Cylindropuntia species · species not confirmed
Common name overlap
“Jumping cholla” is used for more than one species. The profile’s chain-fruit identification needs confirmation before assigning an origin.
Explore plant Record a plant sightingCompare the details
Original field photographs by Mark Miller. Enlarge a photo to inspect the available detail; some views show overall form rather than a diagnostic close-up.
Yellow flowers: read the leaves
Enlarge photoBrittlebush
Broad, silvery leavesYellow daisies alone are not enough. Brittlebush has broad leaves with a pale, hairy surface.
Explore plantEnlarge photoSkeletonleaf Goldeneye
Fine, divided foliageThe photographed garden plant has narrow, deeply divided leaves. Skeletonleaf goldeneye remains a provisional identification.
Explore plantA close leaf photograph is more useful than flower color alone.
Joshua tree or Mojave yucca?
Enlarge photoJoshua Tree
Shorter, stiff leaf clustersLook at the leaves as well as the branching outline.
Explore plantEnlarge photoMojave Yucca
Longer leaves with edge fibersMojave yucca has longer, broader leaves and fibrous threads along their margins.
Explore plantOverall shape changes with age. Enlarge the images, then confirm leaf details in the field.
Two fan palms, with a caution
Enlarge photoCalifornia Fan Palm
Stouter trunk; native oasis palmA broad trunk is a useful clue for California fan palm. Habitat is supporting evidence, not proof.
Explore plantEnlarge photoMexican Fan Palm
Slender trunk; common street palmMexican fan palm often forms a taller, more slender silhouette. Cultivated Washingtonia palms can hybridize.
Explore plantDo not assign a pure species from trunk shape or a distant photograph alone.
Cactus clue: flat pads suggest a prickly pear; jointed cylindrical branches suggest a cholla. “Jumping cholla” is a shared common name. Read the cholla story
When might you see flowers?
A planning guide, not a live bloom report. Rainfall, elevation, temperature, irrigation and the individual plant can shift flowering or prevent it altogether.
Start low, then look higher
Lower desert sites tend to flower before higher country. Brittlebush is a spring highlight; Joshua trees flower in spring when conditions allow. A plant may skip a flowering year.
Look at brittlebushWatch trees and gardens
Desert ironwood can carry pink-to-lavender flowers around May. Irrigated ornamentals follow their own patterns; a blooming garden does not establish a wild desert bloom.
Look at desert ironwoodNotice a second chapter
Seasonal rain can prompt new growth and scattered flowers. Dry stems alone do not identify a dead plant. Record the actual date and whether you saw buds, flowers or seed.
Understand rain and ocotilloFor an outing, check the land manager’s latest information: Joshua Tree wildflower guidance. Elevation shifts bloom timing; no calendar guarantees flowers.
Follow the connections
Joshua tree & yucca moth
Follow the pollination relationship behind the next generation of Joshua trees.
Read the pollination storyDesert trees & phainopeplas
Look into the relationship between mistletoe berries, desert host trees and the black bird with red eyes.
Follow the mistletoe storyRed flowers & hummingbirds
Chuparosa offers a reason to pause and watch. Then compare Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds in the bird guide.
Compare the hummingbirdsKeep a useful field note
Use “Record a plant sighting” on any card to open that plant in your Nature Journal. Add the date, setting, flower stage and the details you actually saw. For uncertain plants, mark the identification as tentative in your notes; the journal link is not species confirmation.
Useful photos: the whole plant, a leaf with its attachment, and flowers or fruit. Photograph without picking or handling the plant.
Keep exploringFollow the plants.
Follow the plants.
Find the birds.
Look beyond the flowers. Trees offer perches and shelter, while blooms, seeds and the insects around plants help connect the whole landscape.
Explore the bird collection Read about the Pacific Flyway
The living landscape
All nature articles
Go deeper into desert nature
Wildlife & conservation
Bighorn sheep of the Coachella Valley
Follow their story—and Mark’s photographs of a bighorn eating barrel cactus on the Art Smith Trail.
Read the story
Explore on foot
Walk the La Quinta Cove
Get to know three routes through a landscape of desert plants and mountain views.
Read the story
Birds & habitat
Look toward the Salton Sea
Explore a very different part of the desert’s living landscape through its birds.
Read the storyAbout native status & sources
This is a photographic collection, not a complete botanical inventory. “Native” refers to the named plant’s presence in California’s deserts or nearby mountains; it does not mean every species naturally occurs on the Coachella Valley floor. A garden photograph alone cannot establish a wild population. Broad common names and cultivated selections require care with identification.
The three species-check profiles remain available without a native-status claim. In particular, Kew places chain-fruit cholla (Cylindropuntia fulgida) in Arizona and northwestern Mexico; “jumping cholla” also describes other chollas. The original photograph needs confirmation before it is assigned to either group.
- National Park Service: plants of Joshua Tree National Park
- Tom Chester: botanical survey of the Art Smith Trail
- Calflora: sweet acacia (non-native to California)
- Calflora: Engelmann’s prickly pear (native to California)
- Kew: the native range of chain-fruit cholla
- The Living Desert: plants and blooms in the gardens
Photographs by Mark Miller. Collection reviewed September 2026.
Finder clues are broad traits drawn from these plant profiles and field photographs; they are not a botanical key. “No obvious leaves” includes plants that are seasonally leafless. Cultivars may have other colors. Native status is independent of flower color, habitat filters and a journal entry.
- National Park Service: Joshua trees and Mojave yucca
- National Park Service: wildflower timing and elevation
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: prickly pears and chollas
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: ironwood flowering
Guide expanded October 20, 2026. The three species-check profiles remain unconfirmed; other photo-based cautions are preserved on their cards and profiles.