On our drive in via towns we saw tons of these flowers; like you would see poppies here.

The Scale Bud is named for the appearance of its flower buds, which look exactly like small dragon scales. When they bloom, the flowers ONLY STAY OPEN WHILE THERE IS DAYLIGHT (just like poppies). Interestingly, this adorable wildflower is found exclusively in the Mojave and Colorado deserts and the Californian Owens Valley. When its leafless stems are cut, scale bud releases a milky sap as its defense.