There are vast species of wildflowers native to the Mojave Desert. Many of these are seen only after sufficient fall and winter rainfall, and often that doesn't happen. When it does, the desert comes alive with amazing displays in every imaginable color.
The wildflowers in this category are often relished by tortoises of all species, and are safe to use in enclosures. (Beware, a tortoise or lizard may consume an entire plant at once, so we recommend planting in areas inaccessible to your animals, and occasionally harvesting flowers for them.)
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Sun Cups Lotus strigosus
Annual (strigosus) lotus is a desert native annual herb, and is found in California and Arizona. It is commonly referred to as Sun Cups.
Desert tortoises eat numerous species of lotus in the months immediately following hibernation. This is a fleshy, prostrate forb that begins growth in late winter or early spring.
Requires cold moist stratification, and blooms March to May, depending on elevation. Requires full sun and well drained soil.
Interestingly, this plant also provides larval food for Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly.
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Suncups- Camissonia californica
California Suncup is a member of the evening primrose family, and is an annual herb native to our southwestern deserts.
Tortoises may readily eat it to the ground. It is an early spring bloomer, and should be showing good growth by the time tortoises awaken from hibernation.
Sow in fall to allow for moist winter stratification. Needs full sun and excellent drainage. Grows especially well in zones 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 and also in zone 18.
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Arizona Popcorn Flower (Cryptantha augustifolia)
Another Mojave desert native, Popcorn flowers are an early spring bloomer. It appreciates gritty, gravelly soil and occurs from elevations of zero to 4200 feet. Popcorn flowers are members of the Forget-Me-Not family.
If left to complete its life cycle, it should re-seed itself yearly. Needs mositure until established. Full Sun! Very limited quantity.
Per Packet (15 seeds)
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Desert (Apricot) Globemallow
No tortoise in its right mind would turn away from this plant! Bright orange flowers adorn long, greysish green stems. This is a perennial plant, new growth starts from the base each year in areas where temperatures dip below freezing.
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Desert Tickseed Coreopsis (Coreopsis californica)
A gorgeous, edible spring native. Tickseed flowers bloom from late February to April in the southwest deserts. They need full sun and gritty soil. Plant away from tortoises, or they'll eath them all in a single sitting!
Per Packet: (25+ seeds)
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RED Plains Coreopsis - Coreopsis tinctora red
Want to drive your tortoises or lizards crazy with a yummy treat? Red dwarf coreopsis should do the trick. The bright red flowers are nutritious, and a welcome snack for almost any tortoise or herbivorous lizard.
Even if you don't have a tortoise, they're certain to brighten up your garden.
Mix with Plains and Lanceleaf Coreopsis for a stunning display of color (and edible yummies!)
Per Packet:
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Plumeseed (Desert Chicory)
After a winter of above average rainfall, the Mojave comes alive with Plumeseed, also known as Desert Chicory. The flower is 2-3" across with many petals in several layered lengths. It has a leaf structure quite similar to the common dandelion.
Flower heads are from 1" to 3" across.
This seed is hand collected, dried, and cleaned.
Per packet:
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Mojave Marigold/Telempacate Baileya multiradiata
Mojave Marigold (Baileya) is an absolutely beautiful plant.
With 10 to 30 inch stems and gorgeous yellow flowers, Desert Marigold will brighten up any area. The flowers are relished by many species of tortoise.
Desert Marigold begins to bloom in March/April in areas to which it is nativeafter sufficient winter rainfall. All seed is open-pollinated and wild collected from elevations of 750 to 3500 feet.
Their tolerance to drought conditions and long flowering season have made this a very popular plant in amongst gardeners.
Found in the Mojave and Chihuahuan deserts from elevations of 100 to 6500 feet, on mesas, alluvial fans and sometimes at the edges of washes, desert Marigold can continue to bloom well into fall if regularly watered. Allow to re-seed!
Please note: Does not do well on hillsides.
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Desert Dandelion-Malacothrix californica/glabrata
Desert dandelion is a stunning spring wildflower that occurs on sandy plains and in washes throughout the Mojave desert.
The flowers are relished by many species of tortoise. This shrub can grow large and bear hundreds of flowers in a single season.
Desert dandelion begins to bloom in March in areas to which it is native. It looks wonderful in any garden, and will re-seed itself if left to it's yearly llife-cycle.
Per Packet:
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Tidy Tips
Tidy tips are another Mojave desert native plant. Blooming in the spring months, they are a gorgeous, showy flower which attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and tortoises. Wild tortoises find the flowers (and sometimes stems, leaves) very desirable as a food source. This is a drought tolerant plant which requires full sun.
Tidy tips, as with Goldfields, are annual plants. Plant where you can harvest flowers yourself, or, in an area in which tortoises can nibble but not destroy the plant itself.
PACKET:
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Desert Primrose-Oenothera deltoides
Desert Evening Primrose is a member of a wide variety of beautiful plants in the primrose family.
Also called Devil's Lantern, large white fragrant flowers open up in the evening hours and close in the day time. It is found on sandy dunes, in washes and gravelly plains. Also called Birdcage Primrose, the long stems curl up to form an interesting "cage" to protect the center of the plant in its second year.
After the flowers open, they then turn a reddish to purple color as they age.
Limited quantities
Per Packet:
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Yellow Desert Evening Primrose-Oenothera primiveris
Yellow Evening Primrose is a member of a wide variety of beautiful plants in the primrose family.
Large yellow fragrant flowers open up in the evening hours and close in the day time. It is found on sandy dunes, in washes and gravelly plains.
After the flowers open, they then turn a reddish to purple color as they age.
Limited quantities
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Mojave Wildflower Mix
Edible Mojave Wildflower Mix is a combination of over 30 species of annual and perennial plants which bear flowers native to the Southwest desert region.
Tortoises relish the bright blossoms, and during spring months wildflower leaves and flowers make up a considerable portion of a wild tortoise's diet.
This flower mixture has been formulated with many of the specific plants which tortoises find irresistable.
Complete planting instructions are included, and cost is per packet of seed. Even if you don't have tortoises, these flowers will make a gorgeous addition to any garden.
All seed is organic, and has not been exposed to innoculants. We will only provide you with fresh, pure seed.
Per Packet:
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Desert Tidy Tips
White Layia is yet another Mojave desert native plant. Blooming in the spring months, they are a gorgeous, showy flower which attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and tortoises. Wild tortoises find the flowers (and sometimes stems, leaves) very desirable as a food source. This is a drought tolerant plant which requires full sun.
White layia as with Goldfields, are annual plants. Plant where you can harvest flowers yourself, or, in an area in which tortoises can nibble but not destroy the plant itself.
Per Packet: (50+ seeds)
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Goldfields Lasthenia
Goldfields are an annual plant native to the Mojave Desert. Blooming in the spring months, they often form a gorgeous yellow "blanket" throughout the desert.
Goldfields are drought tolerant, and require full sun.
Most species of terrestrial tortoise find this flower to be irresistable!
Plant some for your shelled friends today.
Per Packet:
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California Poppy (Orange) Eschscholzia californica
California Poppies are a non-toxic annual flowering plant which are native to the Mojave Desert. Gorgeous yellow to orange blooms adorn this plant, especially during spring time, but blooming continues well into the summer months.
California Poppys are excellent at drought resistance and offer good ground cover.
We recommend planting a patch outside of a tortoise's enclosure, and picking flowers and offering as a treat. They also make a colorful and safe addition to a box turtle enclosure.
Available by the packet:
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Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Plains Coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)is a member of the Sunflower family.
The flowers are edible and very decorative in salads. Tortoises and lizards adore them!
Reseeds readily. Drought tolerant.
Bloom Time: Summer through Late Fall
Height: 2' to 3' tall
Exposure: Full Sun
Per Packet:
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Lance-Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Lance-Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) is a member of the Sunflower family. It is a wonderful perennial plant with edible flowers which tortoises and lizards love, and is a California native.
This plant will attain a height of 2 to 3 feet, and is a prolific bloomer. It reseeds easily, and is drought tolerant.
Per Packet:
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Pale Evening Primrose-Oenothera pallida
Pale Evening Primrose is a member of a wide variety of beautiful plants in the primrose family.
Large white fragrant flowers open up in the evening hours and close in the day time. It is found on sandy dunes, in washes and gravelly plains, and is found throughout the desert Southwest.
After the flowers age, they often then turn a pink to reddish color.
Limited quantities
Per Packet: (100+ seeds)
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California Poppy (RED) Eschscholzia californica
California Poppies are a non-toxic annual flowering plant which are native to the Mojave Desert. Gorgeous RED blooms adorn this plant, especially during spring time, but blooming continues well into the summer months.
California Poppys are excellent at drought resistance and offer good ground cover.
We recommend planting a patch outside of a tortoise's enclosure, and picking flowers and offering as a treat. They also make a colorful and safe addition to a box turtle enclosure.
Available by the packet:
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California Poppy (WHITE) Eschscholzia californica
California Poppies are a non-toxic annual flowering plant which are native to the Mojave Desert. Gorgeous WHITE blooms adorn this plant, especially during spring time, but blooming continues well into the summer months.
California Poppys are excellent at drought resistance and offer good ground cover.
We recommend planting a patch outside of a tortoise's enclosure, and picking flowers and offering as a treat. They also make a colorful and safe addition to a box turtle enclosure.
Available by the packet:
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