Fouquieria splendens subsp. splendens

Ocotillo, Ocotillo

Family: Fouquieriaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Ocotillo is a native shrub found in the southern desert regions of California in dry, generally rocky soils at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from March to July, this distinctive plant produces bright red flowers in narrow, cone-shaped clusters up to 20 centimeters long. Growing as an impressive, cane-like shrub 6 to 10 meters tall with gray bark and prominent spines 1 to 4 centimeters long, it stands out dramatically in the desert landscape. Its leaves are small and seasonal, with spoon-shaped to oval blades 1 to 2 centimeters long that cluster along the stems, appearing briefly during favorable conditions. The plant's striking form features long, arching stems covered in sharp spines, creating a sculptural silhouette that is characteristic of the arid southwestern landscapes.

Habitat: Dry, generally rocky soils

Bloom period: Mar-Jul

Elevation: < 700 m

Bioregions: DSon

California counties: Imperial, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.