Fouquieria

Fouquieria is a genus of plants belonging to the family Fouquieriaceae, native to the deserts of western North America. These plants are typically small, branched shrubs or trees characterized by drought-deciduous leaves that are shed during dry seasons. Some species have leaves that grow close together, while others have leaves that are more spaced out, with the leaf stems (petioles) often becoming spines after the leaf falls.1

The flowers of Fouquieria are frequently red or orange and possess fused petals with numerous stamens. Pollination is commonly carried out by hummingbirds or bats, and their seeds are dispersed by wind. The genus includes about 11 species, with the ocotillo being a well-known example.1