Glitterbush: an astrobotanical adventure

Exotic plants have been discovered in the desert Southwest. First one, then many. What are they? Where did they come from? What do they portend?
As word spreads, the curious investigate. Ranchers and rockhounds at first. Then scientists and government agents.
The searchers sense a world-shattering opportunity. They collide, they cooperate, they compete.
Some become friends, others enemies, yet others . . . both.