> Temperatures have been 10 degrees above normal the last ten days which
> could bring on a early bloom if they continue higher then normal.
 
"Verbena Colors Desert with Rare Winter Blush" reports  the Desert Sun
(serving the Coachella valley since 1927) in front page headlines.
 
The article continues to report : "In my experience, this is the first time
I've seen sand vebana bloom in profusion in winter, or for that matter, fall,
or for that matter, summer.: said Jim Conett, curator of natural sciences at
Palm Springs Desert Museum...
 
A local oldtimer reports the last time verbena was seen in this profusion was
1961-62, and others say it is a once ina lifetime experience. Other out of
season blooms: creosote, desert sunflower, desert primrose, brittlebush,
herons's bill, etc, etc.
 
The cause?  El Nino.  According to the paper...
 
Allen