Death Valley covered in a rare blanket of wildflowers

Death Valley has been transformed by thousands of wildflowers in what experts described as the strongest bloom since 2016, following record autumn rainfall that soaked seeds and supported growth.

Death Valley in eastern California has been covered by a rare blanket of wildflowers in what experts say is the best bloom in a decade. The park is known for having some of the hottest surface temperatures on Earth, with the World Meteorological Organization recording 54.4°C in 2020. Park officials said record rainfall in the autumn soaked seeds and washed off protective coatings, and a wetter-than-normal winter helped strong root development. The National Park Service said such strong blooms occur about once a decade and noted 1998, 2005 and 2016 as recent years with similar displays. Key facts: - Thousands of low-elevation grape soda lupine and bright yellow desert gold are among the species reported in bloom. - Record autumn rainfall is described as a trigger because it soaked seeds and removed seed coatings that limit germination. - A wetter-than-normal winter is reported to have supported root development for the plants. - The National Park Service says strong blooms occur around once a decade and listed 1998, 2005 and 2016 as past strong years. - Low-elevation plants are likely to persist until late March, and higher-elevation blooms are expected between April and June. - Strong blooming can attract larger numbers of pollinators such as butterflies, moths, bees and hummingbirds, as well as some birds and insects not typically associated with the valley. Summary: The flowering has temporarily transformed parts of Death Valley's landscape and increased activity of pollinators and some bird and insect species. Low-elevation blossoms are expected to persist until late March, with higher-elevation displays arriving from April through June. The timing is linked to exceptional autumn rainfall followed by a wetter winter that allowed seeds to germinate and roots to develop.