Canyon Country Plants
Desert: Ocotillo
Scientific Name: Fouquieria splendens
Ocotillo is a deciduous shrub with a distinctive funnel shape, with long stems that reach to 15 feet in length. It is common in the Sonoran Desert. The plant sheds its leaves to reduce moisture loss during desert droughts. In the wet season, buds emerge from the end of the stems and grow rapidly. Flowers typically appear in late winter or early spring.
Photos
Notes
The main photo on this page was taken in the Tucson Mountains, west of Tucson, Arizona. The ocotillo is the cluster of "sticks" crossing the screen in the foreground. This photo was taken in December, so the leaves are not present and the plant looks like dead sticks. At other times of the year is is covered by small green leaves. If you could look closely at the "dead" sticks you would be able to see green veins running up the length of each, indicating that the plant is indeed alive.
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