Fouquieria splendens
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Fouquieria splendens, commonly known as ocotillo,Template:Efn 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).<ref>Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map</ref><ref>McVaugh, R. 2001. Ochnaceae to Loasaceae. 3: 9–751. In R. McVaugh (ed.) Flora Novo-Galiciana. The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor</ref>
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.
NamesEdit
The name ocotillo comes from the Nahuatl word ocotl meaning "torch".<ref name="BMP">Template:Cite book</ref>
It is also known as buggywhip, coachwhip, candlewood, slimwood, desert coral, Jacob's staff, Jacob cactus, and vine cactus.<ref name="BMP"/>
BotanyEdit
It grows in dry, generally rocky desert soils.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
An ocotillo plant reaches maturity at 60–100 years,<ref name="VaFG"/>Template:Rp it grows to a maximum height of Template:Convert. It consists of a clump of 40–75 straight and slender greenish branches covered with thorns;<ref name="VaFG"/>Template:Rp each stem may reach a diameter of 6 cm at the base.<ref name=AoP/>Template:Rp The branches have a rough bark,<ref name=AoP>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Rp they produce small, ovate leaves 2–4 cm long directly from their sides.<ref name="VaFG">Template:Cite journal</ref> With rainfall, the plant quickly becomes lush with which may remain for weeks or even months. Specimens in cultivation may not exhibit any secondary branches. The leaf stalks harden into blunt spines, and new leaves sprout from the base of the spine.Template:Citation needed
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Bright crimson flowers appear especially on mature plants after rainfall in spring, summer, and occasionally fall; they are clustered indeterminately at the tips of each stem.<ref name="VaFG"/>Template:Rp Individual flowers are mildly zygomorphic and are pollinated by hummingbirds<ref name="BMP"/> and native carpenter bees.Template:Citation needed The flowers last for a period of between one and a half to 2 months.<ref name="BMP"/>
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CultivationEdit
Ocotillo can be planted year-round with care. Ideal plants have been grown in pots from stem cuttings and from seed. Transplanting large bare-root plants has marginal success. They should be planted to the original growing depth and, as with cacti, in their original directional orientation: the original south side of the plant, which has become more heat- and sunlight-resistant, should again face the brighter, hotter southern direction. If their direction is not marked, success is again limited.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
UsesEdit
- Individual ocotillo stems are sometimes used as poles as a fencing material in their native region, and often take root to form a living fence.
- Due to their light weight and interesting pattern, ocotillo branches have been used for canes or walking sticks.
- Fresh flowers are sometimes used in salads and have a tangy flavor.
- Flowers are collected, dried, and used for tisanes.
- According to Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West (a book published in 1989 by Museum of New Mexico Press), a fresh bark tincture can be made by chopping or snipping freshly removed bark into 1/2-inch pieces. It is said to be useful for those symptoms that arise due to fluid congestion and to be absorbed from the intestines into the mesenteric lymph system by way of the lacteals of the small intestinal lining. This is believed to stimulate better visceral lymph drainage into the thoracic duct and improve dietary fat absorption into the lymph system.<ref name=medplant.nmsu.edu>Maya Strunk (Spring 2001 Independent study) at Medicinal Plants of the Southwest</ref>
- Bathing in water that contains crushed flowers or roots has been used to relieve fatigue.<ref name="medplant.nmsu.edu"/>
- Native Americans place the flowers and roots of ocotillo over fresh wounds to slow bleeding.<ref name="medplant.nmsu.edu"/>
- Ocotillo is also used to alleviate coughing, achy limbs, varicose veins, urinary tract infections, cervical varicosities, and benign prostate growths.<ref name="medplant.nmsu.edu"/>
SubspeciesEdit
The three subspecies are:
GalleryEdit
- Ocotillo Forest Santa Rita Mountains Arizona 2014.jpg
Ocotillo forest in the Santa Rita Mountains of Arizona
- Ocotillo-600.jpg
Ocotillo covered with rare snow in Tucson, Arizona
- Ocotillo-with-bee.jpg
Ocotillo flower with a bee above — Tucson
- Ocotillotucson.JPG
Ocotillo with leaves outside Tucson Mountains after a rainfall event
- Ocotillo in the City of Rocks State Park's desert botanical garden.jpg
Ocotillo in the City of Rocks State Park's desert botanical garden
NoteEdit
ReferencesEdit
Template:Reflist The Splendid Ocotillo, Cornett, J. W., published by Nature Trails Press, 2018.