BOLO Alert: Warm Weather has Invited Spring Poppies to Bloom in Winter

The Mexican poppy can be seen throughout southern New Mexico, particularly south of White Sands National Park at the base of Organ Mountain-Desert Peaks National Monument. It is unlikely you will see a poppy within the dune field, or anywhere near it. However, poppies have the potential to bloom within other portions of the park’s boundaries. Unlike many of the plants who call the park home, poppies are reliant on water, and more specifically the direct timing of rain. A one-inch rain the fall is needed in order for the germination of the poppy seeds to be triggered. If there is not enough rain during this specific time of year, the poppies will not bloom the following spring. If you traveled to the park earlier this spring, you may have seen the occasional bloom as you travelled over San Augustin Pass either into or out of the Tularosa Basin. We were lucky to get a mini “super bloom” of these happy yellow flowers this year due to light precipitation and snowmelt this past fall. So, if you see a poppy the next time you make a journey to the park, consider yourself lucky! These joyous blooms don’t make an appearance very often.

Wildflowers are a beautiful, and a somewhat rare, sight within White Sands National Park. We encourage you to admire their beauty, however, please do not pick any of the flowers you see in the park. If you would like to admire their grandeur after you trip, consider taking a photo so that you can treasure the memory a little bit longer without disrupting the landscape. Recreate responsibly so future generations have the opportunity to see the park as you did today. Leave only footprints, take only pictures. Leave no trace.