Accession Count: 11
Common Name:
tree ocotillo, Mexican tree ocotillo
Family Name:
Fouquieriaceae
Botanical Name:
Fouquieria macdougalii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The tree ocotillo is a shrubby tree-like plant that grows about 20 feet tall and occasionally can get up to 40 feet tall. The trunk of the plant gets about 6.5 feet tall with a brownish-green bark when young and yellowish-green when mature (2,3). The leaves produced are drought deciduous (3,4). The leaves are dimorphic, coming in 2 forms: long shoots and short shoot leaves. Long shoot leaves are about 1 inch long, and short shoot leaves are about .5 inches long. The long shoot leaves are produced during the rainy season when the stems are elongated. The opposite short shoot leaves are produced at any other time of the year when heavy rainfall comes. This type of plant is leafless for most of the year to help preserve water (2,4). The inflorescence produced is similar to the leaves. They grow different sizes depending on how much water they receive. With heavy rain, the plant produces multi-branched paniculate inflorescence. With little water, the inflorescence can be limited to one raceme. The flowers produced on the racemes, that are red to scarlet. The flowering season is usually in July and October during the rainy season (2). The fruits produced are inconspicuous (3).
Compound:
Fou mac
Geographic Origin:
Mexico, Sonora
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
MX
Natural History:
The tree ocotillo is native to Mexico in Sonora. It can be found in many open exposures, such as hillsides, lava beds, mesas, and sandy playas (2). This plant is found in elevations 500 to 2000 feet above sea level (2).
Cultivation Notes:
The tree ocotillo is best grown in a container or against a south-facing wall. This species blooms after it rains and has very showy flowers. It requires low water usage, meaning it is drought-tolerant and can grow in either full sun or partial shade (1). This plant can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. This plant should be cut back to encourage branching to maintain a desired shape. The tree ocotillo is hardy to about 25 F. They grow well in full sun to part shade. They need freely circulating air to survive (2).
Ethnobotany:
The tree ocotillo has many uses. They do not have strong branches or spines, but their branching nature is a good deterrent for animals (2). Also, this plant can be a container plant and is outstanding. It is not typically edible or used for consumption (1). The plant's bark has been used as a replacement/substitution for soap (2). Lastly, this plant is excellent for creating a native garden since it is native to the Sonoran Desert (3).
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Red
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
