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Map Satellite In this rugged canyon there are oases with groves of California fan palms, Washingtonia filifera, totaling several hundred. The oases are of the wash type (see Indio Hills Palm Oases). On the canyon floor there is a typical low Colorado desert wash vegetation, characterized by smoke tree, Psorothamnus spinosus, desert willow, Chilopsis linearis, and desert lavender, Hyptis emoryi. On the hillsides creosote bush scrub is dominant. As permanent water is available, the oases are an important watering area for numerous animals and, consequently, support a relatively high density. The rare Peninsular bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis cremnobates, utilizes the waterholes. Integrity: Off-road vehicles have damaged portions of the canyon floor. Use: Educational, research, observational Ref: Weaver, R. A. and J. L. Mensch. 1970. Bighorn Sheep Study in Riverside County. California Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Management Admin. Rep. 70-5, 36 pp. July 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
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