"Characteristic of the Trans-Pecos's Chihuahuan Desert, Ocotillo is one of its most unmistakable shrubs, with long, wand-like, thorny branches that rise from the crown. In the spring brilliant red flowers bloom from the ends of the stems. Small bright green leaves appear in response to rains and disappear with drought. It is common in desert flats and also on slopes and mesas from sea level to 6,000 feet, growing on rocky, shallow, calcareous or igneous soils, usually over caliche."
Fouquieria splendens, Ocotillo, courtesy of Melody Lytle
The fruit is an "ovoid capsule containing many flat, winged seeds."
The following Saturniidae species utilize Fouquieria splendens as a larval host.
Eupackardia calleta
Hemileuca electra
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This page is presented by
Bill Oehlke. This site
is presented as an extension of the
World's Largest Saturniidae Site, a private worldwide silkmoth site,
Caterpillars Too!,
a private North American butterfly site featuring images of
caterpillars,
and
Sphingidae of the Americas,
a free public access site with pictures and information about
the Sphingidae (Hawkmoths) of the Americas.
Plant information is from Aggie Horticulture
Larval hostplant lists have been compiled from
the Natural History Museum's
HOSTS - a database of the world's Lepidopteran hostplants