XFouquieria splendens - OcotilloX
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Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), family Fouquieriaceae (Ocotillo)
From the website Desert Museum is this interesting information on the plant family Fouquieriaceae, by Mark A. Dimmitt: "The ocotillo family is a small one of only 11 species restricted to the warm-arid section of North America. Members of this family are odd-looking plants, some even bizarre. They are characterized by spiny stems with bundles of seasonal leaves at each spine. A few species are stem succulents, the rest barely semisucculent." End quote. There are many fanciful common names for Ocotillo: coachwhip, candlewood, slimwood, desert coral, Jacob's staff, Jacob cactus, and vine cactus
Ocotillo is another plant that appears to include a var. based on location but are almost impossible to tell apart from visual appearance. The website CALFLORA shows observations of the main species Fouquieria splendens in the more recent area we saw Ocotillo - Anza-Borrego - in early March 2017. The instances of Fouquieria splendens var. splendens show that variety being in Joshua Tree where we first saw Ocotillo in late February. Based on geographic distinction we could well have the species and the var. on this page. The flower view shown in this frame is from Anza-Borrego, March 6, 2017.
USES: The website Native Americn Ethnobotany (University of Michigan) shows the following uses of Fouquieria splendens by Native American tribes: Cahuilla Wood used to make fences to prevent rodents from attacking cultivated crops. Wood used for fuel. Fresh blossoms soaked in water and used to make a summer drink. Parched seeds ground into a flour and used to make mush or cakes. Fresh blossoms used for food. Mahuna Plant used as a blood specific, purifier and tonic. Papago Withes used to bind together the house dome ribs. Nectar pressed out of blossoms, hardened like rock candy and chewed as a delicacy. Flexible rods used as the basis of ceremonial structures representing clouds or mountains. Thorns used to pierce the ears of both sexes. Pima Stalks freed from thorns, bound together with rawhide or wire and used as shelves. Plants grown around gardens for decorations. Seri Branches used to make sun and wind shelters. Yavapai Flowers sucked by children for nectar.
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Plant location: We found the plants in two locations: Anza-Borrego, and Joshua Tree - California. The plant view in this slide is of Ocotillo from a hike in Joshua Tree on February 25, 2017.
Per the website wildflower.org Ocotillo is found in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas. Habitats are flat desert areas which is consistant with our sightings. The species is also widespread in Mexico.Plant -
Bloom season: March through July typically.
The foliage in this slide is of Ocotillo from Joshua Tree on February 22, 2017.Foliage -
Joshua Tree National Park - California - February 23, 2017
Flowers just starting to bloom. Note the elongated configuration of the flower stems compared to the more compact structure of the flowers found in Anza-Borrego. A distinction between the species and the var. possibly? -
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Joshua Tree National Park - California - February 22, 2017
As mentioned in the main panel on this species the Cahuilla's used wood from Ocotillo to make fences to prevent rodents from attacking cultivated crops. Wood also used for fuel. Looking at this detail of the plant lends the fencing use perfect credibility. -
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Joshua Tree National Park - California - February 25, 2017
Flower fully developed now. -
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Anza-Borrego State Park - California - March 6, 2017
An amusing start to hiking Hellhole Canyon. Rangers with a sense of humor, flanked by Ocotillo. The sign reads: THEY DIDN'T BRING ENOUGH WATER -
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