boojum tree Fouquieriaceae Fouquieria columnaris

Leaf:Helically alternate, obovate, 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long, entire margins, fleshy, occur in bunches, yellow-green to blue-green.
Flower:Tubular, creamy yellow (may be reddish), 1 inch long, occur in 15 to 20 inch spike-like clusters near the tops of the tree.
Fruit:Light brown, 3 valved elongated (1 inch long) capsule, when split open they curve back resembling a 3-petaled dry flower.
Twig:Yellowish brown or greenish, numerous 1 to 2 inch long slender thorns at the base of each leaf cluster. Twigs occur spike-like along the trunk.
Bark:Light yellow-green, smooth but dimpled where small twigs have fallen off, very tough outer "skin".
Form:Straight, single tapering trunk (up to 50 feet tall) with few branches but numerous small twigs. Looks a bit like an upside down large carrot. VERY UNUSUAL, considered by many to be the strangest looking tree on earth. They resemble something from a science fiction book.

leaf fruit twig bark form map

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