Ocotillo near south entrance

This ocotillo is growing is part of a small patch growing near the south entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The Cottonwood Mountains are in the distance. Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is one of the indicator plants of the Colorado Desert in California. This member of the "Violet Family" grows only in the lower elevations of the park. The plant can produce small ovate leaves twice a year, and small red, tubular flowers. They grow to about 15 feet and their stems can carry out photosynthesis (Matthews, 1994; USDA, [2010d]).