Fouquieria splendens Sierra Co NM Verbena 2' tall mass of woody

2' tall mass of woody stems is clothed with velvety green leaves

a cone-shaped terminal inflorescence with narrow cream petals

dodecatheon-like

fragrant white flowers with vivid pink central stripes

The purple flowers emerge in midsummer followed by the leaves in fall

Fouquieria splendens Sierra Co NM Verbena 2' tall mass of woodyOcotillo is one of those signature plants that draws your attention when you visit the Southwest US desert. Although many folks assume it to be a cactus, ocotillo is so bizarre, it's sequestered by taxonomists in its own family, Fouquieriaceae. Fouqueria splendens is native throughout the Chihuhuan and Sonoran Deserts from Texas through California. The naked upright stems can reach 20', and appear dead until rain causes the leaves to emerge, which can