Ocotillo flower is a photograph by Bryan Keil which was uploaded on April 18th, 2013.
Ocotillo flower
Fouquieria splendens Engelm. is a desert plant of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Common names include ocotillo, desert coral,... more
by Bryan Keil
Title
Ocotillo flower
Artist
Bryan Keil
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Fouquieria splendens Engelm. is a desert plant of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Common names include ocotillo, desert coral, coachwhip, Jacob's staff, Jacob Cactus, and vine cactus, although it is not a true cactus. For much of the year, the plant appears to be an arrangement of large spiny dead sticks, although closer examination reveals that the stems are partly green. With rainfall the plant quickly becomes lush with small (2-4 cm) ovate leaves, which may remain for weeks or even months.
Individual stems may reach a diameter of 5 cm at the base, and the plant may grow to a height of 10 m. The plant branches very heavily at its base, but above that the branches are pole-like and only infrequently divide further, and 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.
The bright crimson flowers appear especially after rainfall in spring, summer, and occasionally fall. Flowers are clustered indeterminately at the tips of each mature stem. Individual flowers are mildly zygomorphic and are pollinated by hummingbirds and native carpenter bees.tate plant protection laws are enforced; contact the state Department of Agriculture for specific regulations, restrictions, permits, penalties, etc. before digging and moving any cacti, agaves, ocotillos, yuccas, or other protected species.Fine Art America watermark will not appear on purchased artwork
Uploaded
April 18th, 2013
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Comments (33)
Sarah Batalka
What an interesting flower! Looks like it belongs on an alien planet! Really pops against the green background!
Jan Dappen
Bryan, this is so cool! My eyes went first to the little bud hanging. I thought it was a painting and you had painted in a little girl. I love this! Great work