Here's a little wild flower info from Death-Valley.US
"Some years the desert is spectacular with wildflowers; other years the blossoms are almost nonexistent (but never totally absent). A good wildflower year depends on at least three things:
Well-spaced rainfall through-out the winter and early spring
Sufficient warmth from the sun
Lack of desiccating winds
"Most of the "showy" plants are desert annuals, also referred to as ephemerals (short-lived). Colors range from white and yellow to purple, blue, red and bright magenta.
"The best time to see a spring floral display is in years when rainfall has been several times the Death Valley annual average of about 1.9 inches. In general, heavy rains in late October with no more rain through the winter months, will not bring out the flowers as well as rains that are evenly-spaced throughout the winter and into the spring.
"Peak Blooming Periods for Death Valley are usually...
Mid February - Mid April at lower elevations (valley floor and alluvial fans)
Best Areas: Jubilee Pass, Highway 190 near the Furnace Creek Inn, base of Daylight Pass
Dominant species: desert star, blazing star, desert gold, mimulus, encelia, poppies, verbena, evening primrose, phacelia, and various species of cacti (usually above the valley floor).
Early April - Early May at 2,000 to 4,000 ft. elevations
Best areas: Panamint Mountains
Dominant species: paintbrush, Mojave desert rue, lupine, Joshua tree, bear poppy, cacti and Panamint daisies.
Late April - Early June above 4,000 ft. elevations
Best areas: High Panamints
Dominant species: Mojave wildrose, rabbitbrush, Panamint daisies, mariposa lilies and lupine."
I'm no scientist but my gut feeling is that this rain won't change the normal course of wildflower seasons. It's too dang hot. The water evaporates quickly and it's too hot for any flowers, that aren't ordinarly visible, til mid-late autumn.
(how's that for a completely uneducated guess)
Thanks for the info. I was in Joshua Tree last year and the flowers were fantastic! Should be another good Spring in 2005.