Ocotillo Cactus

Types of Cactus Barrel Cactus Beavertail Cholla Claret Cup Cactus Fishhook Hedgehog Cactus Organ Pipe Cactus Pincushion Cactus Prickly Pear Cactus Saguaro Cactus Totem Pole Cactus Flowers

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a common cactus of the desert Southwest from California to Texas, that grows in clusters of long cane-like branches.

They can grow to heights of twenty five feet or more, and they produce red flowers at the tops. The branches have leaves only in times of high rainfall.

Ocotillo is a very adaptable shrub, capable of living on the desert floor or a mountain hillside. That fact, plus it's being drought tolerant and a nectaring plant for hummingbirds, makes it an ideal choice for homeowners looking for native plants for landscaping.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels.