Often considered to be the strangest tree on earth, Fouquieria columnaris (Boojum Tree) is a magnificent treelike succulent boasting a single, conical stem with numerous small twigs and creamy yellow tubular flowers in mid to late summer. When young, Boojum Tree is bushy, with numerous lateral branches covered with thorns. Once mature, the trunk becomes columnar, straight, and tapering, resembling an upside-down carrot. The deciduous, ovate leaves are yellow-green to blue-green, fleshy, and occur in bunches along the stem. At the base of each leaf cluster are many yellowish brown or greenish slender thorns, 1-2 in. long (2-5 cm). Borne in large spike-like clusters, 15-20 in. (37-50 cm), near the tops of the tree, the flowers, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), give way to 3-valved, light brown fruits, which resemble a 3-petaled dry flower once open. Long-lived (several centuries), very slow-growing (10-20 years to reach 12 in. height or 30 cm), Boojums are iconic plants that grow naturally in the Sonoran Desert on the Baja peninsula, some gulf islands, and a small population on the coast of Sonora. This desert tree is protected in its natural habitat, and wild harvesting is forbidden by the Mexican government.
Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents, Trees |
Plant Family | Fouquieriaceae |
Common names | Cirio, Boojum Tree |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 40' - 70' (12.2m - 21.3m) |
Spread | 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 60" (150cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents, Trees |
Plant Family | Fouquieriaceae |
Common names | Cirio, Boojum Tree |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 40' - 70' (12.2m - 21.3m) |
Spread | 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
Spacing | 60" (150cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Low |
Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
How many Fouquieria columnaris (Boojum Tree) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Fouquieria columnaris (Boojum Tree) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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