On our fieldwork this morning, Research Associate Becca and I were surprised to see so many ocotillos leafed out from the recent rain. Along the Tortugas Mountain foothills there was a veritable forest of them.
The ocotillo has an interesting strategy for surviving in the desert. When enough moisture is avaible, the plant will leaf out for photosynthesis.
When the weather becomes too hot and dry, the ocotillo will drop its leaves to prevent losing moisture through evaporation.
1 comment:
The ocotillo are so beautiful when they bloom. Desert Packrat, is the blooming season over? Or will we be seeing some of those orange-red flowers soon?
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