The authors undertook studies in various California Deserts - the Mojave High Desert, Colorado Low Desert, Death Valley, Anza Borego examining the flowering and growth of the DESERT FIVE SPOT from tiny, short lived plants to others, mature, with well grown stems, leaves, buds, and full flowers. Attention was paid to the life span of the plant once the buds unfurled. Observations were also made on number of buds on a given plant, coloration of leaves, and rate of demise. Examination of the flowers was made daily at the noon hour, which appears to be the best hour for the complete opening of the flower. General biologic notes were kept on the quality of the soil in which the plants were growing - gravels, bajadas, etc and on the exposure to desert temperatures at a given location. The text presents 15 PLATES IN COLOR illustrating the life of this beautiful desert wildflower.