Ocotillo. Coach whip (Fouquieria splendens)

Family: Fouquieriaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Fouquieria splendens is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Edible Portion: Flowers - drink, Seeds, Flowers - nectar. The flowers are soaked in water overnight and used as a drink. This is sometimes mixed with other juices. Flowers are collected, dried, and used as a tea. — Edible Portion: Flowers - drink, Seeds, Flowers - nectar.; The flowers are soaked in water overnight and used as a drink.; This is sometimes mixed with other juices.; Flowers are collected, dried, and used as a tea.

Habitat & North American Range

It grows in arid, desert places. Dry, rocky hills, on slopes, plains and washes. Soils abundant of limestone, well aerated and also relatively warm. In the drier an lower part of its areal the soil is more sandy and loose. (Zone 7)