Ocotillo is one of those signature plants that draws your attention when you visit the Southwest US desert. Although many folks assume it to be a cactus, ocotillo is so bizarre, it's sequestered by taxonomists in its own family, Fouquieriaceae. Fouqueria splendens is native throughout the Chihuhuan and Sonoran Deserts from Texas through California. When mature it produces fascinating terminal flowers of bright scarlet...a hummingbird favorite.