Candlewood

Fouquieria is a genus of 11 species of desert plants and the sole genus in the family Fouquieriaceae. The genus includes the ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) and the boojum tree or cirio (Fouquieria columnaris). They have semi- succulent stems with thinner spikes projecting from them and with leaves on the bases of the spikes. They are unrelated to cacti and do not look much like them; their stems are proportionately thinner than cactus stems and their leaves are larger.           These plants are native to northern Mexico and the bordering US states of Arizona, southern California, New Mexico, and parts of south-western Texas, favouring low, arid hillsides. The genus is named after French physician Pierre Fouquier (). The spines of Fouquieria develop in an unusual way, from a woody thickening on the outer (lower) side of the leaf petiole, which remains after the leaf blade and most of the petiole separate and fall from the plant. They grow well in pots and rockeries but sufficient drainage and a well-drained soil mix is of the utmost importance to avoid rot. Fouquieria species need full sun to high interior lighting if grown as an indoor plant. The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds or carpenter bees. Fouquieria splendens commonly known as ocotillo, but also referred to as coachwhip, candlewood, slimwood, desert coral, Jacob's Staff, Jacob Cactus, and vine cactus is a plant native to the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Ocotillo is not a true cactus. The bright crimson flowers appear especially after rainfall in spring, summer, and occasionally autumn.