Is an ocotillo a tree?

Asked by: Terri Millsap

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) are one of easiest plants to identify in the desert. They are a large shrub with long cane-like unbranched spiny stems that grow from a short trunk.

Is the ocotillo a cactus?

Ocotillo is not a cactus. It is a close relative of the Boojum tree (Idria columnaris) which is native to isolated areas of Baja California and Sonora, Mexico. Within its restricted range, the Boojum tree is very common and sometimes forms forests that dominate the landscape on rocky hillsides or flat plains.

Is ocotillo a cactus or succulent?

The ocotillo plant (Fouquieria splendens) is a desert shrub that produces a spectacle of bright, pink flowers on whip-like canes. It is often called the ocotillo cactus, but it is not truly a cactus, although it grows in similar conditions. The plant is native to the Sonoron and Chihuahuan deserts.

What is the lifespan of an ocotillo?

It’s true! Ocotillo branches can reach heights up to 20-feet — that’s one tall plant! It’s estimated ocotillos can live up to 60 years, studies also indicate some could possibly be over 100 years in age.

Why is the ocotillo important?

Hummingbirds are the plant’s primary pollinator. And ocotillo flowers are a crucial source of nectar for the 10 species of hummingbirds that migrate through the Southwest from Mexico each spring.

Is ocotillo a succulent?

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens, Zones 7–11) is an unusually beautiful desert gem. This succulent shrub, often misidentified as a cactus, is impossible to miss when you are traveling through the desert. Typically, ocotillos can be spotted along roadways; they also love to grow on hilltops.

How do you grow an ocotillo tree?

Ocotillo grow in the open and like full sun. Shade cloth is not needed. Dig a hole the diameter of the roots and deep enough to plant it to the soil line on the base of the plant. The soil line is generally a few inches below where all the canes join together for a six foot tall ocotillo.

What does ocotillo mean in Spanish?

ocotillo in American English



(ˌoukəˈtiljou, Spanish ˌɔkɔˈtijɔ) nounWord forms: plural -tillos (-ˈtiljouz, Spanish -ˈtijɔs) a spiny, woody shrub, Fouqueria splendens, of arid regions of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having a tight cluster of red flowers at the tip of each branch.

How fast do ocotillos grow?

They grow 6 to 10 inches a year, green up at the appropriate time but neither has ever bloomed in the spring. They are not on drip but one is near a drip line and the other is not. I water them very occasionally.

Can I trim my ocotillo?

When pruning your ocotillo, prune only dead or damaged stems by cutting back to the base when the plant is not in its growing phase. Cutting high on living stems produces irregular, thin branches rather than the sturdy, single canes you’re looking for.

How do you get rid of ocotillos?

To remove cactus from its original location, first cut the shallow roots by forcing a sharp shovel blade to its depth into the soil completely around the plant about a foot away from the base. Then, dig under and carefully pry and lift the plant out of the ground. Try to minimize injury to the plant.

How much do ocotillos cost?

Ocotillos range in price from $25 to $150. Smaller plants tend to be about 2 to 3 feet tall, with 4 to 8 arms, costing about $35 to $50. Very large plants might be 12 to 14 feet tall, have 30 to 40 canes, and cost $250 to $300. Middle range plants are the most typically used in landscapes.

Are ocotillo flowers edible?

Ocotillo flowers



The showy, red flowers provided food for local Native Americans. The Cahuilla of the Mojave Desert ate them raw. They also soaked them in water to make a refreshing, summer drink. Apparently, these flowers have a crisp, tangy flavor.

What is ocotillo cactus used for?

Native Americans place the flowers and roots of ocotillo over fresh wounds to slow bleeding. Ocotillo is also used to alleviate coughing, achy limbs, varicose veins, urinary tract infections, cervical varicosities, and benign prostate growths.

What animals eat ocotillo?

Answer and Explanation: White-tail deer and desert bighorn sheep will eat ocotillio. Additionally, bees and hummingbirds will also feed on the nectar that is produced by the… See full answer below.

Do ocotillos need water?

The Ocotillo is highly drought tolerant and considered a low-water-use plant. It will require irrigation after it has been planted. Avoid over watering the soil, as too much groundwater will cause the roots of the plant to rot. Instead, water by spraying the cane of the plant and keep the soil moist.

How deep do ocotillo roots go?

The ocotillo prefers rocky, well-draining soil and is hardy to ten degrees Fahrenheit or lower. It has a shallow root system, so when planting bare-rooted specimens from the nursery, water the canes by spraying them with a hose.

Do ocotillos lose their leaves?

It grows and drops its leaves with the rain – Ocotillo is drought deciduous. Its shallow roots are perfect for capturing rain from those rare desert storms, and it will begin growing leaves within 24 hours. Most of a plants water is lost through its leaves, so once it becomes dry again it will lose its leaves.

What kind of plant is an ocotillo?

shrub

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) are one of easiest plants to identify in the desert. They are a large shrub with long cane-like unbranched spiny stems that grow from a short trunk. Small 2 inch leaves will grow from the stems when there is enough moisture.

Do ocotillos need fertilizer?

Fertilizer – Ocotillos do not need supplemental fertilizer. Some use a mild fertilizer like Fish Emulsion or Dr. Q’s® Desert Plant & Cactus Food once a year, which sometimes results in fast, lush growth. Too much fertilization can discourage blooming and cause overly tall, unbranched plants.

Do ocotillos bloom every year?

Ocotillos produce clusters of bright red flowers at their stem tips, which explain the plant’s name. Ocotillo means “little torch” in Spanish. Plants bloom once in the spring from March through June depending on latitude then sporadically in response to rainfall during the summer.

Can ocotillo be transplanted?

When to Transplant – Ocotillos can be transplanted from the wild at any time of the year. There does not seem to be a significant difference in the re-establishment rate of large and small plants. Plants can also be increased by burying cuttings until they root.

Why does my ocotillo have flowers but no leaves?

So, an ocotillo may not leaf out for the entire first year after it is planted. After that, the leaves may not fully develop until the ocotillo knows it has the water and energy it needs to fully support leaf growth. It can be difficult to know if your ocotillo is dead or just dormant.

What does a dead ocotillo look like?

The sunlight out here it's hard to tell with my camera. But it's actually still green behind the behind the trunk of the Ocotillo. And what you do is you just you scrape it with a knife.