Psilostrophe cooperi
Common name: PAPERFLOWER Arizona and Texas deserts: (Psilostrophe cooperi). Bright yellow. Year around. Texas-New Mexico deserts: (Psilostrophe sparsiflora). Bright yellow. May-September. Sunflower family. Size: Rounded bush 12 to 18 inches high.
One man of the writer’s acquaintance, confused by the great number of yellow flowers on the desert, refers to them all as “yellow composites.” The Paperflower is one of these.
It is noticeable because of the conspicuous, bright yellow flowers which sometimes cover the plants almost completely, often during periods of the year when bloom is quite scarce on the desert.
The flowers are persistent, petals become papery, fade to a pale yellow, and remain on the plants intact for weeks.
Although the Paperflower does not form great masses of color, the blossom-covered clumps are conspicuous among the Cactus, Mesquite, and Creosotebush of the desert.
It is common at elevations below 5,000 feet from southern Utah to Lower California, with similar species ranging eastward through southern New Mexico and northern Chihuahua.
Some species are reported to be poisonous to sheep.
YELLOW
Cassia lindheimeriana
Cassia bauhinoides
Common names: DESERT-SENNA, RATTLEWEED Arizona desert: (Cassia bauhinoides). Yellow. May-August. California desert: (Cassia armata). Yellow. April-May. Texas desert: (Cassia lindheimeriana). Golden. June-September. Pea family. Size: Low, branching shrub up to 3 feet.
Members of this large genus are chiefly tropical, the majority having golden to bronze flowers and brown, woody seed pods. They are quite common along desert roadsides, and a few species are cultivated as ornamentals.
In some localities, following moist winters, Desert-senna bursts into a riot of color in April and May adding a golden glory to the spring floral display.
Representatives of the several desert species occur at elevations between 2,000 and 5,000 feet from Texas westward to southern California and south into Mexico.
YELLOW