Scientific Family
Fouquieriaceae
Synonyms
Fouquieria splendens ssp. splendens
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Shrub to small tree with numerous, simple, erect, thorny branches. Canes are leafless most of the year but bright green leaves appear after heavy rains. During arid conditions leaves will turn yellow and fall.
Tall, many stemmed plant; stems unbranched and cane-like, erect to ascending, covered with thorns; leaves wide, ovate, tips rounded or notched, appear after rain, fleshy; reddish-orange flowers in branched clusters at branch tips; 3-valved capsule fruit.
Height
6-1/2 to 20 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Desert, prefers rocky, well drained slopes.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Desert Scrub
Low elevation
0
High elevation
5000
Leaves
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
1/3 to 3/4 inch long and 1/8 to 1/3 inch wide. Tips are rounded or notched. Appear in bunches above spines.
Flowers
Flower color
Red, reddish-orange
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
Yes
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
July
Flowers about 1 inch long in clusters to 10 inches long at the tips of canes in dense elongated clusters, with conspicuous leafy bracts that fall off when flowers mature; flowers have 5 reflexed lobes.
Flower clusters
Elongated
Fruit
Fruit color
Light brown
Fruit type
Capsule
Approximately 1/3 to 2/3 inch long, 3-valved with white seeds.