Many of the little flower buds in this cluster on our ocotillo are now open. We saw them coming, but now they’re here. We have waited for quite some time for flowers since this specimen replaced the dead ocotillo last year.
This is one of three flower clusters currently opening on the ocotillo. There are seven or eight “canes” or stalks, but only two are showing flower clusters. The other cane with flowers actually has two clusters, one growing on a separate branch near the top of the cane.
Some of the more mature ocotillos we see around town and in the desert are showing flowers on nearly every cane. We’re hoping that our plant will follow suit in a year or two.
This picture was taken about mid morning when the light was fairly good to capture this view of the flower cluster. Click on the image to enlarge.