Jack Dykinga / Ocotillo cactus (Fouquieria splendens) in desert landscape strewn with rod lava rock, Cabeza Prieta Mountains in the distance, dawn, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, USA

Doug Wechsler / Ocotillo plant {Fouquieria splendens} in leaf and flower following the rains, Organ Pipe cactus NM, Arizona, USA

Jack Dykinga / Ocotillos (Fouquieria splendens) after summer rains, amongst Velvet-pod mimosa (Mimosa dysocarpa) in the grassy foothills of the Atascosa Mountains, Coronado National Forest, Arizona

Nigel Bean / Ocotillo plant {Fouquieria splendens} in leaf following the rains, Sonoran desert, Arizona, USA

Nigel Bean / Ocotillo plant {Fouquieria splendens} in leaf following the rains, Sonoran desert, Arizona, USA

Philippe Clement / Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) flowers and thorns. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, USA.

Philippe Clement / Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) in flower. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, USA

Philippe Clement / Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) in flower. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, USA

Philippe Clement / Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) in flower. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, USA

Philippe Clement / Ocotillo {Fouquieria splendens} in bloom and Saguaro cactus {Carnegiea gigantea}, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, USA

Jack Dykinga / Close-up of colourful leaves and spines of an Ocotillo (Fouguieria splendens), leaves turn red in dry season after the wet season, Tinajas Atlas Mountains, Goldwater Range, Arizona

Jack Dykinga / Ocotillos (Fouquieria splendens) established on the Pincata Lava flow, dawn, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Reserve, Arizona