The desert is not as barren and colorless as some people might think. We have beautiful and colorful plants and flowers in the Sonoran Desert. If we've had enough rain, the spring wildflower season is spectacular. Use some of these books and field guides to identify the unusual plants and flowers that you'll find around Arizona.

1. Sonoran Desert Wildflowers

The subtitle of this book is: A Field Guide to the Common Wildflowers of the Sonoran Desert, Including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe National Monument, Ironwood Forest National Monument, and the Sonoran Portion of Joshua Tree National Park. This guide features 300 of the common plants of the Sonoran Desert, with etailed descriptions, information about bloom season and interesting facts about each plant. 300 color photographs. Paperback, 256 pages.More »

2. Arizona Trees & Wildflowers

One of the Pocket Naturalist series, this is a pocket field guide that can be used for both the experienced and the novice. The folding guide highlights up to 150 specimens. Laminated for durability. 12 pages.More »

3. Wildflowers of Arizona Field Guide

Your guide to 200 of Arizona's flowers. Full-page photos and descriptions make this a great guide for beginners. Species are organized by color.More »

4. Plants of Arizona: A Field Guide

Both amateurs and professionals will appreciate hundreds of color photographs and descriptive text identifying Arizona plants, wildflowers, and trees.Paperback, 350 pages.More »

5. Flowers of the Southwest Deserts

Field guide to over 100 of the most common flowering desert plants, emphasizing those likely to be found in National Parks. Detailed line drawings for identification. Black and white illustrations. Plants are organized by color of flower blossoms. Paperback, 136 pages.More »

6. Cacti of the Desert Southwest

Cacti are organized by scientific name, and common names are provided. Identification information and short historical information is presented for every cactus. 86 color photographs. Paperback, 96 pages.More »