Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Fouquieria splendens Engelmann
(Ocotillo, Coach Whip)


Family: Fouquieriaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
None

Fouquieria splendens is striking in appearance. It can be nearly 20 feet tall. It is much branched from the base with spined dark-striped branches. The tubular flowers are bright orange and develop into capsules. Fouquieria splendens likes limestone when it is available, and grows on dry hillsides at lower elevations.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Fouquieria splendens, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Burro Mtns., Buzzard Bay, May 7, 2006



Fouquieria splendens, habitat and whole plant, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Wild Horse Canyon, Aug. 21, 2005



Fouquieria splendens, detail of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Buzzard Bay, June 4, 2008



Fouquieria splendens, detail of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Buzzard Bay, June 4, 2008



Fouquieria splendens, detail of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Buzzard Bay, June 4, 2008



Fouquieria splendens, detail of capsules and axillary fascicles, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Buzzard Bay, June 4, 2008



Fouquieria splendens, detail of height attainable, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Buzzard Bay, June 4, 2008



Fouquieria splendens, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Leith Young, Charles Holmes, Mel Moe & Richard Felger, Peloncillo Mtns. near Rodeo, March 12, 2010



Fouquieria splendens, 3x field macro of bud of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Leith Young, Charles Holmes, Mel Moe & Richard Felger, Peloncillo Mtns. near Rodeo, March 12, 2010


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