The ocotillo (pronounced awk-oh-tee-yo) is a
strange but beautiful cactus very common in
Maricopa County in Arizona. The vertical stalks
have very sharp thorns neighboring small green
leaves. When in bloom the flowers look like
orange-red pods and provide an interesting
foreground for sunsets. You'll find some ocotillos
in the lightning sections as well. They are my
favorite cactus of the Sonoran Desert. The Four
Peaks are lingering in the background. --Keith
