They look like a cactus, but aren’t. When we were here in June (the height of summer), they looked like little more than dry, thorny whips standing on end in the hot desert landscape. This time, because of the rain, they had come to life, with new green leaves and big clusters of bright red, tubular blooms on the tips.
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a woody, deciduous shrub that is found growing in rocky soil around the southwest. I saw larger populations in the Sonoran Desert while driving through Arizona, but I photographed the plants in these photos in an area of Joshua Tree National Park called The Ocotillo Patch.
Ocotillo survive in the dry desert climate by shedding its leaves during periods of drought and regrowing them when there is rainfall. Apparently, they can do this six times per year! Close up, the stems remind me of Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia milii), a Madagascar native to which it is not related.
On our last trip to the desert I noticed that the bare stems were often used as fencing. I also noted that the flowers are edible! They were included in a desert herbal tea mix that I bought in Tucson at the Native Seeds/SEARCH store. Davin tried a fresh one today. He said it was quite astringent and unpalatable, so I suspect it is best used when dried. The nectar is sweet — pollinating insects and hummingbirds love it. I saw plenty of both buzzing around the open blooms today.
And these aren’t even fully greened up yet! They will get so full of leaves that the large thorns won’t even be visible. If those bare-stem fences were planted in the ground, they will root, bloom, and green up beautifully. I’m wanting that for my own yard here i Apache Junction, east of Phoenix. However, I’m not able to deal with the thorns. Purchasing the living fence already woven-wired is the way to go, but costly. Maybe someday. Ocotillo is a great fence, because animals will not push through those thorns. Glad you’re enjoying the desert in this season. The drier winter means fewer wildflowers. Hope you can get back in a wet year.
I can imagine that planting one of these would be quite a feat! It may be a dry year but I was still very impressed by the quantity of flowers I was able to see.
Beautiful photos and a much needed boost of colour and warmth!
Thanks for the spot of color. I’m still waiting for Spring in the Mid-Atlantic.
I’m back at home now and have rejoined the ranks of those who are waiting for spring. More snow this week! UGH.
I love Ocotillo. I have tried to root cuttings several times but have had no success.
Hi Gayla,
I’m new to your blog and I love it! I am looking for nice house plants to liven up my small apartment and I’m getting such good ideas. I grew up in Phoenix and I miss the desert a lot, now that I’m in Portland, Oregon. Ocotillos and agaves are my favorite desert plants! I love the lush little green leaves on the Ocotillo and the dry grey thorns- just reminds me of the dry desert with all it’s wonderful life. Nothing like the desert in Springtime!
Love this! Some really great shots!