Desert Rose

Topanga State Park, located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, is entirely within the Los Angeles city limits and is considered the world’s largest wildland within the boundaries of a major city. When I went hiking through there in the summer of 2006, I spotted this amazing flower blooming right in the middle of this rock outcropping. Having no idea what species of flora it was, I dubbed it "Desert Rose", because it looked like a rose. And, although not a desert environment, the flower was growing out of a rock. Close enough.