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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