DEATH VALLEY VISITOR CHfJIRES DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL MONUMENT FREE Spring & Summer 1988 Rare and Wonderful to Behold by Barbara Moritsch be the result of several different Death Valley has long been situations. Some endemics are recognized as one of the hottest recently evolved species that and driest places in North Ameri­ have not had sufficient time to ca. Armed with this information, spread and increase their range. the first-time visitor may find it dif­ These plants may have evolved ficult to believe that any form of in response to changing climatic life, either plant or animal, can conditions as Death Valley gra­ live in this harsh environment. dually became hotter and drier. At first glance when driving Other recently developed spe­ through the monument one rec­ cies may be very specific in their ognizes that plants do, indeed, requirements for growth and live here, but they are few in num­ simply cannot establish them­ ber and there is not a great deal of selves in other places. variety. Or is there? In fact, more Some species may have previ­ than 970 species of plants have ously been more widespread but been identified in Death Valley a changing environment may National Monument. have restricted them to specific The monument encompasses areas where conditions are suit­ over two million acres and ranges able for their survival. in elevation from 282 feet below If a plant species has a very sea level at Badwater to 11,049 restricted range, it automatically feet above sea level at Telescope becomes subject to extinction. Peak. This large size and range Any changes that occur in its of elevations provides a wide var­ habitat, either natural or human- iety of environments in which caused, have the potential to plants can become established. completely eliminate the species. Species have different require­ For this reason, many of the ments for growth with respect to endemics are designated by the sunlight, temperature, moisture, federal government as "endan­ salinity and soil and many diffe­ gered" (in danger of extinction rent combinations of these throughout all or a significant por- requirements can be found within tion of their range) or the monument. "threatened" (likely to become endangered in the forseeable Gold is where you find it Most of Death Valley's plant future throughout all or a signific­ species can also be found in ant portion of their range). by Lex Palmer host to a wide variety of floral resi­ other parts of the state, country or the purple mat has resulted in These sensitive plants, as well The name Death Valley dents. The annual wildflower pro­ world. There are a few, though, observations of prostrate botani­ as all of the features within the evokes images of lost treasure duction begins at the lower eleva­ for which Death Valley alone is cal prospectors in search of the monument, are protected. and mines with names such as tions, flowing upward as spring home. Fifteen species are found elusive "belly plants." A floral Please remember to leave them Confidence, Eureka, and Gold temperatures rise. The primary argonaut needs to be armed with exclusively within the boundaries undisturbed for the continued Valley. This spring a multitude of factors influencing wildflower dis­ a trusty camera, hand lens, and of the monument. These plants enjoyment of all visitors. modern-day prospectors travels tribution are altitude, moisture, wildflower guidebook, rather than are referred to as "endemic," to the valley of death to stake temperature, and soil makeup. pick and shovel. Prospectors which means they are restricted Bebw are five species of plants claims on the yellow-gold of the An El Dorado of brilliant blos­ must be mindful that collecting is in their range to a certain locality. endemic to the Death Valley region, Panamint daisy and desert gold- not allowed in the National Park their descriptions, and areas where soms may take place merely An additional 21 species are con­ they may be seen. poppy. once a decade. This rare re­ System—wildflowers may be sidered endemic to the Death Death Valley witnesses a floral source of color is nurtured with a gathered only through cameras Valley region, which includes Desert Bearpoppy show every spring. The botanical superabundance of winter mois­ or art supplies. areas outside the monument (Poppy family) Arctomecon merriamii rule of thumb for a luxurious wild- ture which rouses the dormant boundaries. Plants do not recog­ This plant has large white flowers on flower display requires rainfall to seed population and dissolves The winter rains of 1987-88 nize the arbitrary boundaries stems with basal leaves. The leaves exceed the annual norm of 1.75 seed coatings. These seeds con­ with their Midas-like touch will designated by land-use mana­ and buds are densely covered with inches by a factor of 100-150 per­ tain elements which prevent awaken these slumbering nug­ gers. Therefore, it is more valu­ long, silvery hairs, thus the name cent. This season should prove to untimely germination from a gets of color. These botanical able to identify endemism in a "bearpoppy." It is found in higher washes and canyons, growing on be exceptional due to the fact that passing cloudburst. portraits will stream through specific environment or region current area precipitation is in dolomitic limestone soils, and has Springtime in Death Valley Death Valley in shades of the gol- rather than within park or monu­ been seen around Lost Burro Gap, excess of 4 inches. brings reports of eccentric beha­ deneye, desert gold, and desert ment boundaries. Ubehebe Lead Mine (off Racetrack Because of the different eleva­ vior on the part of those in search globemallow. This spring, the gift Why do these plants exist only Road), and in ca r/ons to the east of tions included in Death Valley of this organic art exhibit. The Lil­ of liquid gold will unveil an in this region of the Mojave the Panamint Mountains. National Monument, the region is liputian scale of plants such as ephemeral treasure trove. Desert? Restricted ranges can Continued on page 2 Features Rare & Wonderful... by Mel Essington previously unprofitable venture (Continued from page 1) Mining in Death Valley such as Gold Bar. The talc mines The first recognition of gold in Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow of Death Valley, long aloof from this area by the early I849ers outside influences, provided con­ resulted in a nearly continuous stant profit for their owners for history of mineral exploration that establishment of any newmineral recognition of their economic many uninterrupted years. Their persists in the Death Valley area interests within the National Park potential, as the ever constant long run, however, seems to today. Much of Death Valley's System, but provides for the rea­ tides of fortune may turn in their have come to its inevitable end in history is a direct result of its men, sonable rights of those claims favor. A significant number of Death Valley. Mine production women and mines. Indeed, the established prior to the Act. Thus, others are being donated to the from other states has been establishment of the National Congress has permitted some National Park Service for stabili­ deemed more profitable by the Monument itself is directly attri­ mining to continue. There are zation and interpretation as they current owners and the Death butable to them and mining con­ over 200 valid claims in Death become liabilities for their own­ Valley mines, after about 75 Panamint Daisy tinues to play a significant role in Valley, and one active mine at ers, who may also see the value years of continuous production, (Sunflower family) Death Valley. this time. in giving such a gift to the Ameri­ are being shut down. Two, in the Enceliopsis covillei The flamboyant, speculative, can public. Warm Springs Canyon area, Large, showy flowers on stems 12 Despite the establishment of ceased production in 1987 and and erratic history of mining inches or more in length characterize the Mining in the Parks Act of It is not unheard of for a once- completed the required reclama­ this plant. They are usually found on found throughout the world was September 26,1976, active min­ promising claim to be forgotten tion work stipulated by the Park dry, rocky ledges and are most com­ ing does exist in Death Valley as also common to Death Valley. All and many years later revived by mon on the western slope of the Service. well as several other National the riches-seekers, prospectors, new mining interests. The Gold Panamint Mountains. They have Borates, the earliest of the been seen in Pleasant and Surprise Park units. The Act prohibited the financiers, conmen, honest work­ Bar claims (located in the Nevada canyons as well as on the approach ers, shrewd businessmen, and Triangle portion of Death Valley economically stable but less gla­ to Wildrose from Panamint Valley. adventurous entrepreneurs that National Monument) were origi­ morous minerals in this region, 1988 Entrance Fees mining attracted trooped up and nally recorded in 1905. They have also succumbed to outside down the length and breadth of were mined until 1908 and then pressures. Cheaper production Looking for a vacation bargain the Valley and its environs. Gold lay fallow for nearly 80 years from mines in Boron, California, in 1988? Starting this year, a fee and silver were always the most when new interest was gener­ and western Turkey have forced of $5 per vehicle will entitle visi­ ated in them. In 1987, after the shutdown of once- tors to enter and enjoy Death Val­ sought and least found, as nature has intended. With few excep­ lengthy negotiations with new prosperous Death Valley mines.