Ocotillo bud with Mud Mountain profile in background.
Ocotillos are budding out – they survived the sub-zero temperatures this winter. This is the quintessential desert plant. We are in a drought – no rain for months. But the ocotillo sends out its blossom and will set seeds.
Later, when the rains do fall, the leaves appear – it seems within minutes of rain, but probably isn’t that fast. The leaves photosynthesize energy and store it for when its time to send out those blossoms again. When the rains stop, after a few days the leaves drop to preserve moisture. They are beautifully adapted to the desert, even when it’s below zero.
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