OCOTILLO: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, PROPERTIES AND PESTS - BIOLOGY - 2025

The ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a shrubby species belonging to the Fouquieriaceae family, native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is a shrub with simple and succulent branches, branched from the base, with numerous thorns and lively flowers, adapted to desert conditions.

Known as albarda, ibarda, rotilla, ocotillo or desert flower, it is a species that stores water and flourishes in the middle of the dry season. In this regard, it is a species of great ecological importance, since it is a source of food for desert species, such as the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus).

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). Source: pixabay.com

This species has a succulent stem that is highly tolerant to drought and resistant to arid desert conditions. It requires well-drained soils and full sun exposure, loses its leaves in extreme drought conditions, but develops foliar shoots with occasional rains.

In its natural habitat, the ocotillo is an intensely exploited plant, due to its use in living fences, rural buildings, as combustion and ornamental. In addition, the plant has medicinal properties, and in some regions the flowers and seeds are edible, or are used as a refreshing drink.

General characteristics

Trunk

The ocotillo is a 2-8 m tall shrubby plant with a short basal trunk and numerous unique ramifications of erect or arched branches. The bark is characterized by its greenish to yellowish-brown hue with multiple 15-25 mm spines along the surface.

Ocotillo stem in drought conditions. Source: pixabay.com

Leaves

The oblong or elliptical leaves 15-35 mm long by 5-12 mm wide, are grouped in short shoots. In fact, they have a cuneate base and a sharp or rounded apex, with a small depression or emarginate, of a light green color.

The leaves have specialized structures for the circulation and storage of water, called tracheids, which favor their adaptation in arid environments. On the other hand, the short leaves, grouped in clusters, emerge at the base of the spine and are short-lived.

The ocotillo grows in xerophilous environments, and is characterized by being without foliage most of the year, during the dry season. However, at the onset of rainfall, the leaves develop rapidly, and later fall off, serving as a sure indicator of the rainy season.

Inflorescences

The inflorescences are arranged in a cylindrical or conical panicle 10-20 cm long, on a reddish-purple rachis. The flowers are made up of short, ovoid-shaped sepals of white-yellowish, pink or orange-reddish colors, emarginate at the apex.

Detail of the inflorescences of the ocotillo. Source: pixabay.com

The tubular petals, 8-22 mm long, slightly pubescent on the inside, are light yellow, pink-yellowish, pink-purple or orange-purple. At the end of each flower the numerous stamens 12-25 mm long with reddish tones stand out.

Flowering occurs during winter and they last for about a month, being a source of food for many desert species. However, their unexpected blooms during the summer, promoted by occasional rainfall, are particular.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae.

- Division: Magnoliophyta.

- Class: Magnoliopsida.

- Order: Ericales.

- Family: Fouquieriaceae.

- Genre: Fouquieria.

- Species: Fouquieria splendens Engelm.

Habitat and distribution

The ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is a plant adapted to arid and dry conditions, native to the deserts of northern Mexico and southwestern United States. In its natural habitat it is associated with deciduous shrubs and xerophilous and spiny shrubs, as well as with species of the Acacia, Agave, Larrea, Opuntia, Prosopia and Yucca genera.

This is a species that grows on limestone and sandy soils, flat lands or rocky slopes at altitude levels between 700-2,100 meters above sea level. The ocotillo requires full sun exposure for its proper development, it is also drought tolerant and has low water requirements.

Ocotillo in its natural habitat. Source: pixabay.com

As an ornamental crop, it requires maintenance pruning to promote the generation of new branches and prevent excessive growth. Propagation can be done through cuttings, favoring overpopulation in their natural habitat.

The ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is distributed in desert regions throughout the southwestern US, from Texas and New Mexico, to Arizona, Nevada and California. In Mexico it is located in the deserts of Chihuahua and Sonora, including Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosí, as well as Hidalgo, Querétaro and Zacatecas.

Medicinal properties

The phytochemical analysis of the Fouquieria splendens species has made it possible to determine the presence of various secondary metabolites such as phenols, steroids and terpenes. Many of these molecules or chemical structures have medicinal properties used for the treatment and control of diseases.

Ocotillo leaves in the rainy season. Source: pixabay.com

In this regard, a tincture used to alleviate circulation problems in the pelvis is extracted from the fresh stem of the ocotillo. In fact, it is an excellent tonic to alleviate associated disorders such as abdominal swelling, prostatic hyperplasia, hemorrhoids or urinary discomfort caused by venous inflammation.

In a similar way, it is a traditional remedy that allows the assimilation of fats, improving their circulation and removal by the body. In addition, it helps relieve varicose veins, control premenstrual and uterine pain, and urinary tract infections.

For stomach bloating, the stem scrape is left to rest in a glass of water for 12 hours. Later the drink is ingested and the excess macerate is applied locally on the affected area.

The decoction of the roots ingested as tea can alleviate the discomfort of the flu and cough. In addition, this decoction also serves to clean the respiratory tract, it is absorbed through the nose and is expelled to eliminate mucus.

Ocotillo plant in full development. Source: pixabay.com

Plagues and diseases

This species is usually free of pests and diseases if the environmental conditions are favorable and there is no excess humidity. Sometimes it is common to observe root rot in plants grown in pots, if the substrate is heavy and there is poor drainage.

In plants grown in pots or planter, the incidence of white scales or sucking insects can occur. In this regard, the recommended control method consists of the local application of some type of potassium insecticidal soap.

References

1. Fouquieria splendens. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
2. Gallina Tessaro, S. (2019) The flowers of the ocotillo: an important resource for the desert mule deer. Institute of Ecology, AC. Recovered in: inecol.mx
3. Gil, AMG, & Carmona, RR (2012). The multiple use of the ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens Engelm) in arid zones. Mexican Journal of Forest Sciences, 7 (36).
4. Grant, Bonnie L. (2018) Ocotillo Care: Tips On Planting Ocotillo In The Garden. Gardening Know How. Recovered at: gardeningknowhow.com
5. Rodríguez Garza, RG (2010). Phytochemical screening and biological activity of Fouquieria splendens (Engelmann), Ariocarpus retusus (Scheidweiler) and Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus (Lemaire) (Doctoral dissertation, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León).
6. Scott, FM (1932). Some features of the anatomy of Fouquieria splendens. American Journal of Botany, 19 (8), 673-678.
7. Zamudio, S. (1995) Flora of the Bajío and adjacent regions. Fouquieriaceae. Institute of Ecology, AC Bajío Regional Center. Patzcuaro, Michoacán. Fascicle 36. 7 pp.