What a spectacular spring for purple-lovers! What a worrisome spring for cattle growers and horse-lovers! In addition to a wonderful display of gold poppies, especially in Bisbee and along High way 92 in Sierra Vista, the county is awash in purple locoweed, one of the few important poisonous plants in the state. Fatalities in horses, cattle, and sheep have been reported in locoweed boom years and according to the Sierra Vista Herald, around 100 range animal poisonings have been reported in Cochise County this spring. For the average horse-less, cattle-less, sheep-less home owner, this spring's carpet of locoweed is a marvelous, magical display. Purple locoweed is a distinctive plant. It has pea-shaped blossoms and a strong fragrance. Since locoweed needs an unusually wet, cool spring to germinate, conditions it only gets every so many years, we may not see such an overwhelming display of locoweed for a long time. Another purple wildflower currently in bloom, though in lesser quantities, is filaree. Unlike locoweed, filaree has a high forage value and is welcome on range lands. It has a very simple, five-petaled flower and is usually found in disturbed areas where little else will grow. A closer look at the plant reveals oddly shaped seeds resembling the head and long beak of a stork, giving it the nickname "storksbill" Also spotted blooming wild in the populated portions of Cochise County: the first desert marigolds and prickly poppies, a scattering of orange globemallow, several kinds of primrose, and an interesting patch of chocolate flower. For a look into some of the best wildflower guides for our area, see this month's book review.