Ocotillo is one of the most iconic plants of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, producing long spiny canes topped with brilliant red flower clusters. It leafs out rapidly after rain and drops leaves in drought, cycling through this behavior multiple times per year. Costa's hummingbirds time their northward migration specifically to coincide with ocotillo blooming.
Best time to see a Ocotillo
The best time to see a Ocotillo is January–May, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 39,439 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Ocotillo? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Ocotillo sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted an Ocotillo?
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