The climate at Burns, intermediate between the mountains to the west and the desert to the east, accommodates upland plants tolerant of drought as well as desert plants tolerant of low temperatures. The Mojave desert supports abundant annuals, which produce a spectacular spring show of wildflowers. A wide variety of plant-growth forms occur on this desert reserve. Notably, the flora here includes several species of desert ferns, mosses, and parasitic plants.
Mosses are most abundant in lower Railroad Canyon.
Cacti and succulents occur throughout the reserve. Copyright 1999, University of California, Natural Reserve System Send feedback to Web Coordinator .