Accession Count: 2
Common Name:
Baja tree ocotillo
Family Name:
Fouquieriaceae
Botanical Name:
Fouquieria burragei
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The Fouquieria burragei is a shrub that has thin, thorned, branches that sprawl upward from a central base, giving the plant a fan shape. The mature branches drupe and form a cane shaped canopy. It has tiny oval leaves that are bright green. These leaves grow in pairs alternating between the thorns. The thorns are thin and about an inch long, they grow from base to the end of the branch. During mid summer flowers will begin to form, this ocotillo flowers distinguish it from other Fouquieria. The Fouquieria burragei flowers are white with a hint of pink (1).
Compound:
Fou bur
Geographic Origin:
Baja California
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The Fouquieria burragei is the only species of Fouquieria to be endemic to the Baja peninsula. It is along the gulf coast to Bahia Conception south and then grows to the vicinity of La Paz and onto the Gulf of California (1, 2). The Fouquieria burragei has been distributed to Chandler, Phoenix, AZ and Bostonia, Brentwood, CA (3).
Cultivation Notes:
When growing this plant make sure to have a watering schedule till the roots are well established. After some maturity the plant will not need watering until it grows leaves. Then water it like a leafy shrub, two to three times a week. Sensitive to intense freezes, this plant can not with stand temperatures of 27F and lower. The F. burragei does well in full sunlight, can stand some shade but will grow leggy and bloom less. Prefers fast draining soils and rarely prune this plant. If you need to prune it can be pruned any time (4).Will bloom after six years of constant care (3).
Ethnobotany:
Historically the Mahuna Native Americans used ocotillo as "blood medicine." The Apache have a variety of uses for this plant. They used the roots in a powder form to treat wounds and painful swelling. They also bathed in the a root mixture to help with fatigue. The flowers where made into a beverage to help with coughs. This plant was also used as "candy" and building materials by the Chuilla, Pagago and Yavapai (5).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
