Ocotillo

 The next pair of images are of Ocotillo Blossoms.  While these images were made in Organ Pipe Cactus   Nat'l monument, I could just as well have taken them in our yard.   We added an Ocotillo to our landscape.

The stems will bloom from March through June and if there is enough moisture, small 2 inch leaves will form on the canes.  They can reach a height of 20 feet and live from 60 - 100 years.  The canes are often used in fencing, where they will occasionally take root, they are sometimes referred to as the living fence. They have other names like, Candlewood, Slimwood, Coachwhip, Flaming Sword and Jacob's Staff.

No matter what you call them they are one of our favorite Sonoran Desert plants.