Here is a rare Eriogonum.
Eriogonum diatomaceum is considered critically endangered by the state of Nevada and has been put forward as a candidate for federal protection. Therefore seed is not currently available. (sorry :-[)
Not as showy as some but still nice enough. This one has a very long blooming season of well over two months. Starting in early June and going into mid August.
The slopes this grows on, are stark white diatomaceous deposits cobbled with dark volcanic rock.
http://www.plantsystematics.org/reveal/pbio/RevealSlides/polgeridia.html
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250060256
Interestingly one of the common pollinators is the Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly. The smallest butterfly in North America. The scientific name is Brephidium exilis (Lycaenidae). It has a wingspan of only 5 to 7 mm. It uses Four-Wing Saltbush (Atriplex canescens), as one of it's host plants. This happens to be one of the common desert shrubs that inhabit the arroyos in this area.
http://bugguide.net/node/view/25198/bgimage
Here are shots of Eriogonum diatomaceum in habitat.
