Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
caudex ocotillo
Family Name:
Fouquieriaceae
Botanical Name:
Fouquieria purpusii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
This beautiful succulent can grow to 23 feet tall and have a 24 inch trunk at the base. This tree like plant has bright green leaves that are slender and and spiral up the branch . The leaves are light to bright green, thin and oblong. In spring it forms frilled out cone clusters of pale yellow to white flowers. The flowers have long anthers that protrude from the flower (1).
Compound:
Fou pur
Geographic Origin:
Central Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This plant originate in Mexico. it has been distributed to Apache junction, Phoenix, Chandler, AZ; Bostonia, Casa De Oro-mount Helix, CA. Townshend Stith Brandegee was the first to describe this species in 1909 in central and southern Mexico. Thought this plant is going extinct and is on the endangered list (1 ,2).
Cultivation Notes:
When growing the ocotillo planting by seed has the best results. Instead of transplanting, the plant can established a strong root system which gives a better survival rate. These plants will grow fast with proper care. The plant needs watering to establish a root system. Once the plant has matured it can go on a natural cycle of the monsoon rains. This plant prefers full sunlight and is excellent for hummingbirds (3). If potted it will needs excellent draining to prevent root rot (4).
Ethnobotany:
The ocotillo is valued by the Native American tribes. The best times to extract this plant is right after it rains. The plant will be plump and lush. Ocotillo is prized for it's bark, it can help with pelvic diseases and to improve systemic circulation (5).
Height:
11 - 15 feet
Width:
11 - 15 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Fall
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
