Fouquieria splendens
| Ocotillo | |
|---|---|
| Ocotillo near Gila 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 | |
|
Fouquieria spinosa Torr. | |
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Fouquieria splendens, commonly known as ocotillo, is a plant indigenous to the Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan and Colorado deserts in the Southwestern United States (southern California, southern Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), and northern Mexico (as far south as Hidalgo and Guerrero).
Ocotilos look dessicated on the outside, but they are semi-succulent; it is more closely related to the tea plant and blueberries than to cactuses. It regenerates leaves after rainfall. They can be planted as garden ornamentals.