O-O-Ocotillo

Photos by Lisa E White

Photos by Thomas Schmied

Ocotillo are hardy desert plants, but are not cacti.  Most of the year, the plant looks dead thorny sticks, but after a rain, the pole-like limbs sprout leaves and will flower nearly year round, depending on available water.  In the Southwest, ocotillo make impenetrable fences.  When the long limbs are placed in the ground, they will often begin to grow, as seen in the second photo taken at Pueblo Grande ruins in Phoenix.  The crimson-colored flowers form a chevron design at the end of each limb, and look like torches flaming at the tips.  Nicknames include desert coral, flamingsword, coachwhip, Jacob's staff, candlewood, slimwood and vine cactus.  The name must be hard to remember, but since it looks a bit like an octopus, ocotillo seems as good a name as any.