This national park in California's desert hasn't had a "super bloom" of flowers since 2005. Now it is the site of an unusual phenomenon, where its valley floor is covered in a blanket of colorful wildflowers. The National Park Service says it was caused by an increase in rainfall followed by the heating of the area. There are more than 20 types of flowers within the valley, with colors ranging from pale white to violet.
This national park in California's desert hasn't had a "super bloom" of flowers since 2005. Now it is the site of an unusual phenomenon, where its valley floor is covered in a blanket of colorful wildflowers. The National Park Service says it was caused by an increase in rainfall followed by the heating of the area. There are more than 20 types of flowers within the valley, with colors ranging from pale white to violet.
Alan Van Valkenburg/NPS
Pictured here is Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa). The plant is a mid-sized shrub and is a part of the sunflower family. It features small yellow flowers and can be found in deserts.
Pictured here is Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa). The plant is a mid-sized shrub and is a part of the sunflower family. It features small yellow flowers and can be found in deserts.
Dianne Milliard/NPS
Pictured here is the Desert Five-Spot (Eremalche rotundifolia). Commonly found in desert washes and flats, this plant is known for its globular shape. The flower is colored pink to purple and has a red spot on each petal.
Pictured here is the Desert Five-Spot (Eremalche rotundifolia). Commonly found in desert washes and flats, this plant is known for its globular shape. The flower is colored pink to purple and has a red spot on each petal.
Dianne Milliard/NPS
Gravel Ghost (Atrichoseris platyphylla) gets its name from how the plant's pale white flowers look from afar. Some say they appear to float in the air. The herb is native to California's deserts.
Gravel Ghost (Atrichoseris platyphylla) gets its name from how the plant's pale white flowers look from afar. Some say they appear to float in the air. The herb is native to California's deserts.
Dianne Milliard/NPS
Notchleaf Phacelia (Phacelia crenulata) produces a violet, bell-shaped flower. Be careful not to touch the plant, because it may produce a rash similar to the one poison ivy gives.
Notchleaf Phacelia (Phacelia crenulata) produces a violet, bell-shaped flower. Be careful not to touch the plant, because it may produce a rash similar to the one poison ivy gives.
Dianne Milliard/NPS
Golden Evening Primrose (Camissonia brevipes) is a hairy plant with buttercup-like yellow flowers. These peculiar flowers bloom at sunrise instead of sunset.
Golden Evening Primrose (Camissonia brevipes) is a hairy plant with buttercup-like yellow flowers. These peculiar flowers bloom at sunrise instead of sunset.
Dianne Milliard/NPS
Rock Daisy (Perityle emoryi) is commonly found in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah deserts. The plant is characterized by its golden disc and white ray florets.
Rock Daisy (Perityle emoryi) is commonly found in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah deserts. The plant is characterized by its golden disc and white ray florets.
Dianne Milliard/NPS
The wildflowers, such as the Sand Verbena and Desert Gold blooms pictured here, are projected to stay in the valley as long as there is rain. But the area's droughts and desert winds make it hard for flowers to survive.
The wildflowers, such as the Sand Verbena and Desert Gold blooms pictured here, are projected to stay in the valley as long as there is rain. But the area's droughts and desert winds make it hard for flowers to survive.
Dianne Milliard/NPS