This species is common in areas of sandy soil below 1,500 feet in elevation from Utah and southeastern Colorado to southern Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. It is one of the showy roadside flowers of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. YELLOW [Illustration: Encelia farinosa] Common names: BRITTLEBUSH, (_INCIENSO_) Arizona and California deserts: (_Encelia farinosa_). Yellow. November-May. Sunflower family. Size: Perennial shrubs, 2 to 3 feet high. These low, branching shrubs with gray-green leaves are common on rocky slopes and benches where they lighten the winter landscape with their bright flower heads and create a spectacular mass of bloom during early spring. Flower stems rise several inches above the brittle leaf-covered branches, thus hiding the plant under a blanket of blossoms at the height of the blooming period. Plants are abundant on rocky slopes below 3,000 feet from southern Nevada to Lower California and eastward through Arizona. Stems exude a gum prized as incense by the early-day Catholic priests. Indians chewed this gum, and also heated it to smear on their bodies for the relief of pain. YELLOW [Illustration: Baileya multiradiata] Common names: WOOLLY-MARIGOLD, DESERT-MARIGOLD, PAPER-DAISY Arizona and Texas deserts: (_Baileya multiradiata_). Yellow. March-October. California desert: (_Baileya pleniradiata_). Yellow. March-November. Sunflower family. Size: 4 inches up to 2 feet high. This low-growing, woolly, annual herb with showy, yellow flowers on long, solitary stems is one of the commonest bloomers gracing the desert roadsides and making patches of bright color along otherwise drab and dry, sandy desert washes. It is particularly noticeable because of its luxurious crop of flowers and long period of bloom. At first glance, Desert-marigold may be confused with Crownbeard, to which it is quite similar in color, size, and habit of growing in groups. However, the regular, circular shape of Marigold blooms and the considerable difference in leaf shape make the two readily distinguishable. In California, Desert-marigold is cultivated for the flower trade. Fatal poisoning of sheep on over-grazed ranges has been laid at the door of this plant, although horses crop the flower heads, apparently without harmful effect. Blossom petals become bleached and papery as the blossoms age, thus giving the plant in some localities the name Paperdaisy. Desert-marigold, of which there are but few species, is common throughout desert areas of the Southwest from Utah and Nevada to Lower California, Sonora and Chihuahua. YELLOW [Illustration: Aplopappus heterophyllus Aplopappus gracilis]