Spring in the Desert - Plants

It is not only flowers that appreciate the spring weather in the desert. Many plants also come to life and bloom. Disclaimer: I am not a plant expert, thank goodness for Google where I looked up the plants so I cannot guarantee the accuracy of my identifications. I just thought all the plants looked so lovely after the Spring rains.

The colors on this Cryptantha Mexicana are so subtle.

Cresote Bushes (Larrea Tridentata) seem to be everywhere in the desert. The plants have a deep root system which provides shelter for burrowing animals. It is actually toxic to most animals, except the dromedary camel (this species of camel was introduced to the desert southwest by the US Army in the mid-1800s).

The green on this what I think might be Russian Thistle (tumbleweed) was just so stunning. If it is Russian thistle it is an invasive species, that looks beautiful now, but not so much when it it is a tumbleweed.