Fouquieria splendens(commonly known asocotillo/ɒkəˈtiːjoʊ/(Latin American Spanish:[okoˈtiʝo]), but also referred to asbuggywhip,coachwhip,candlewood,slimwood,desert coral,Jacob's staff,Jacob cactus,andvine cactus) is aplantindigenous to theMojave Desert,Sonoran Desert,Chihuahuan DesertandColorado Desertin theSouthwestern United States(southernCalifornia,southernNevada,Arizona,New Mexico,Texas), and northernMexico(as far south asHidalgoandGuerrero).[3][4]
| Ocotillo | |
|---|---|
| |
| Ocotillo nearGila Bend, Arizona | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Fouquieriaceae |
| Genus: | Fouquieria |
| Species: | F. splendens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Fouquieria splendens | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Fouquieria spinosaTorr. | |
While semi-succulentand a desert plant, Ocotillo is more closely related to thetea plantandblueberriesthan tocactuses.For much of the year, the plant appears to be an arrangement of large spiny dead sticks, although closer examination reveals that thestemsare partly green. With rainfall, the plant quickly becomes lush with small (2–4 cm), ovateleaves,which may remain for weeks or even months.
Individual stems may reach a diameter of 5 cm at the base, and the plant may grow to a height of 10 m (33 ft). The plant branches very heavily at its base, but above that, the branches are pole-like and rarely divide further. Specimens in cultivation may not exhibit any secondary branches. The leaf stalks harden into blunt spines, and new leaves sprout from the base of the spine.
The bright crimsonflowersappear especially after rainfall in spring, summer, and occasionally fall. Flowers areclusteredindeterminatelyat the tips of each mature stem. Individual flowers are mildlyzygomorphicand arepollinatedbyhummingbirdsand nativecarpenter bees.
Distribution
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Ocotillo occurs in desert regions of southwestern United States through central Mexico. It grows in dry, generally rocky soils.[5]
Cultivation
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Ocotillo can be planted year-round with care. Ideal plants have been grown in pots from stem cuttings and from seed. Transplanting large bare-root plants has marginal success. They should be planted to the original growing depth and, as with cacti, in their original directional orientation: the original south side of the plant, which has become more heat- and sunlight-resistant, should again face the brighter, hotter southern direction. If their direction is not marked, success is again limited.[6]
Uses
edit- Individual ocotillo stems are sometimes used as poles as afencingmaterial in their native region, and often take root to form aliving fence.
- Due to their light weight and interesting pattern, ocotillo branches have been used for canes orwalking sticks.
- Fresh flowers are sometimes used insaladsand have a tangy flavor.
- Flowers are collected, dried, and used fortisanes.
- According toMedicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West(a book published in 1989 by Museum of New Mexico Press), a freshbarktincturecan be made by chopping or snipping freshly removed bark into 1/2-inch pieces. It is said to be useful for those symptoms that arise due to fluid congestion and to be absorbed from theintestinesinto themesentericlymph systemby way of thelactealsof the small intestinal lining. This is believed to stimulate better viscerallymphdrainage into thethoracic ductand improve dietary fat absorption into the lymph system.[7]
- Bathing in water that contains crushedflowersorrootshas been used to relievefatigue.[7]
- Native Americansplace the flowers and roots of ocotillo over fresh wounds to slowbleeding.[7]
- Ocotillo is also used to alleviatecoughing,achy limbs,varicose veins,urinary tract infections,cervicalvaricosities,and benignprostategrowths.[7]
Subspecies
editThe threesubspeciesare:
Gallery
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An ocotillo flower with visible needles -
Ocotillo forest in theSanta Rita Mountainsof Arizona -
Closeup of ocotillo leaves -
Closeup of ocotillo thorns inAnza-Borrego Desert State Park -
Closeup of ocotillo flowers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park -
Ocotillo covered with rare snow inTucson, Arizona -
Ocotillo in full bloom near Lookout Mountain,Phoenix, Arizona -
Ocotillo flower with a bee above — Tucson -
Ocotillo with leaves outsideTucson Mountainsafter a rainfall event -
Ocotillo plant inJoshua Tree National Park -
Ocotillo in theCity of Rocks State Park's desert botanical garden
References
edit- ^"NatureServe Explorer 2.0".explorer.natureserve.org.Retrieved5 May2023.
- ^The Plant List,Fouquieria splendensEngelm.
- ^Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ^McVaugh, R. 2001. Ochnaceae to Loasaceae. 3: 9–751. In R. McVaugh (ed.) Flora Novo-Galiciana. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- ^Schultheis, Lisa M.; Stone, William J. (2012)."Fouquieria splendens subsp. splendens".Jepson eFlora.RetrievedJanuary 10,2021.
- ^Soule, Jacqueline (2010-08-31)."Soule Garden: Ocotillo, singular desert plants with striking look".Tucson Local Media.Retrieved2024-11-07.
- ^abcdMaya Strunk (Spring 2001 Independent study) at Medicinal Plants of the Southwest
The Splendid Ocotillo, Cornett, J. W., published by Nature Trails Press, 2018.