Ocotillo

Like some alien being, in the desert it stands, long green covered tentacles, with many sharp teeth. Waving around madly, in this arid land, each branch with a red head, swaying in the breeze. Looking somewhat like the Hydra of ancient times, the red heads rotating every which way, as if looking for prey in the desert climes, looking really ominous, at night or by day. As the weather gets hotter later in the year, the red flowers are borne away through the air. And the tiny green leaves, have all been stripped clear, leaving the spiny tentacles completely bare. Standing nude in the desert, you can see and believe, that if you were to tangle with it you'd regret, the day you were born to your'e infinite grief, so admire from afar, be wise use your head. The old men of the desert, used to call it coach whip, but what heartless man has ever relied, on such a cruel instrument, that could fairly rip, his horses to pieces removing their hides. Like all plants of the desert, Ocotillo is strange, beautiful and deadly, go hand in hand. And if you are unlucky to be within range, you might leave some blood on the desert sand. Ocotillo is pronounced (o-ko-tea-yo) and lives all over the great American southwest. It ranges from the Mojave desert in California and utah, down to Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. 5/16/10 29 palms ca.