Schott’s Pygmy Cedar (Peucephyllum schottii)

Common Names: Schott’s Pygmy Cedar, Pygmy Cedar, Desert Fir, Desert Pine
Synonyms: Peucephyllum schottii
Family: Asteraceae (Aster or Sunflower)
Habit: perennial shrub
Size: up to 6 feet
Flowers: yellow
Bloom: yellow
Leaves: alternate
Fruit: seeds with a pappous
Description: It is not a cedar, fir, or pine, but a member of the aster family, Asteraceae. It is a leafy evergreen shrub with glandular, resinous foliage. It flowers in yellow flower heads which have only disc florets. The fruits are woody, bristly seeds with a pappus.

Distribution: AZ, CA, NV, UT
Seen: Boulder Beach, Lake Mead
Habitat: Dry rocky slopes, washes, among boulders, desert scrubs

If you love flowers, plants, birds and animals, then you are in the right place. I love nature photography and combined with my love of birds, flowers and travel I have decided to create a place to present photographs and information on my favorites. This is a revision of my previous website traveltoeat.com since I become old (and fat) and I have become more interested in photography than eating.

I live in Las Vegas but I travel frequently in the southwest, California and in fact around the world. While Las Vegas would seem to be an unusual choice with regards to plants and birds it is an unusually busy place due to Pacific Migration Flyway which comes through Las Vegas. Since this is a desert, the birds are concentrated in the many springs, seeps, lakes and parks in and around Las Vegas, making for really great birding.

Kurt Buzard MD

Since the previous blog focused on travel and eating, there will be a fair amount of focus on history beautiful architecture and food. However, both in the past and today I am always interested in a good garden, zoo, safari or hike.My idea of a perfect day is to be surrounded by flowers, insects, animals and birds, I hope my photographs and descriptions will inspire you in your own travels and hikes.