Falling Leaves

This photo represents a phenomena that I have been wanting to share with you blippers out there. Its not the best photo but it illustrates how plants survive in the desert.

This little bush, about 7 feet tall, is an Ocotillo and is a common plant in the desert. Normally, we see Ocotillos as a bundle of dead-looking thorny sticks. They have no leaves and appear to be dead; however they are just dormant or sleeping. When they experience rain or another kind of moisture, like irrigation, they sprout green leaves which are about the size of a dime or maybe a quarter. With leaves photosynthesis can occur and the plant can grow.

Rain or not, around May they blossom at the tips of their branches. That is to attract migrating hummingbirds that sip the nectar and pollinate the Ocotillo so the species can survive. The hummers get food and the plant gets pollinated. The bird and the plant work together so they can both continue their life cycles.

Today, leaves are turning yellow on this bush and they will soon fall in preparation for another dormant season. The summer monsoon rains have ended and the plant will sleep until about December when we will have our next rainfall.