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Plant Fact Sheet Fouquieriaceae The Boojum is an incredibly odd plant species found only on the peninsula of Baja California, with small populations growing near Puerto Libertad, Sonora, Mexico. It can grow to 60 feet tall and the trunk may be up to 1.5 feet in diameter. The trees taper upward from the base and older plants branch high on the trunk, effectively making their appearance more dramatic. Their overall appearance has been compared to a giant upside-down carrot. Along with the Cardons, ocotillos, and yuccas, the Boojum forms the succulent forests of the Viscaino Desert of Baja. The Boojum, like other ocotillos, is able to quickly shed its leaves during drought or dry periods, and then quickly grow new leaves after rainfall. New sets of leaves are produced during the winter rains and also following summer and fall rains. New leaves may appear 72 hours after sufficient rainfall. In the spring
the Boojum drop their leaves for the dry summer season. The Boojum flowers in August with sweetly scented whitish flowers at the tops of the branches. Many insects visit these flowers including bees, beetles, ants, and butterflies. Since they never open fully, larger insects pry into the small flowers to obtain nectar. In the Viscaino Desert garden at the Living Desert, a number of Boojum trees have been growing for many years. Several are becoming quite beautiful specimens.
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Boojum
