Cactus?
Like cactus, the ?? has spines and wide
spreading shallow roots, and it flourishes in the inhospitable Pinto
Basin, but it's actually a leafy shrub of the ocotillo family.
After a rain, look for fresh new leaves. During the long dry spells
between rains, look for seemingly "dead" ocotillo, which have
dropped their leaves to minimize evaporation, but continue to
manufacture food in their bark.
"Spring" and "autumn" may come several times during the year for
the ocotillo, depending upon rainfall. But in that one authentic
springtime, the ocotillo celebrates with the desert's most
spectacular floral exhibition!
Once you've seen this peculiar plant, you'll never mistake it for
anything else!
