ocotillo
ExplorePlants
ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
The ocotillo is a tall, spiky plant that looks like a bunch of green sticks reaching for the sky. It blooms bright red flowers in the spring, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Habitat: Desert
Appearance
The ocotillo is a striking desert plant with multiple long, unbranched, whip-like stems covered in sharp thorns. It has small, bright green leaves that appear quickly after rain, and clusters of brilliant red-orange tubular flowers at the stem tips.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyFouquieriaceaeGenusFouquieria
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Despite looking like dead sticks, it's alive and can live over 150 years!
Its stunning red flowers make it look like a desert fireworks display!
Native peoples once used ocotillo stems for fences and even its flowers for drinks!
Ocotillo is not a cactus, even though it has spines and lives in the desert!
Special abilities
Ability
Rapid Leaf Growth
Ocotillo can quickly sprout small leaves after rain to photosynthesize, then shed them to conserve water during dry periods.
Ability
Photosynthetic Stems
Ocotillo has photosynthetic green stems, allowing it to make food even when it has no leaves during severe drought.
Ability
Spiny Armor
Ocotillo has sharp thorns all over its stems that protect it from hungry desert animals trying to eat its juicy parts.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 180-600 cm
- Spread
- 100-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to summer, sometimes after rain
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Bird
Ecological connections
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Thorny Stem
Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Desert
Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna.
Spiky/Thorny
Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful around ocotillo; its long spikes can poke you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is ocotillo?
180-600 cm
How wide does ocotillo spread?
100-300 cm
How big are the flowers on ocotillo?
1-2 cm
When does ocotillo bloom?
Spring to summer, sometimes after rain
Is ocotillo edible?
Yes
Is ocotillo toxic?
None
What is ocotillo's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is ocotillo pollinated?
Bird
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
