Fouquieria splendens, also known as ocotillo or coachwhip, is a beautiful and unique desert plant native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Its distinctive long, slender stems are covered in small green leaves and tipped with bright red-orange flowers during certain times of the year. The plant's common names come from its resemblance to a coachwhip, a type of snake, and from its use in traditional healing as a treatment for a variety of ailments. Other synonyms for Fouquieria splendens include candlewood, slimwood, desert coral, and flaming sword. Whatever name you use, this striking plant adds a touch of color and elegance to any arid landscape.