Boojum Tree (Fouquieria columnaris): A Bizarre, Columnar Desert Tree with a Forest of Spines

Boojum Tree, or Cirio, is one of the world's most bizarre trees. It grows a single, massive, tapering columnar trunk up to 50 feet tall, covered in a dense forest of short, spiny branches that bear small, drought-deciduous leaves after rain. In summer, the trunk tip produces a spike of creamy yellow flowers. Endemic to the central Baja California desert, it’s an icon of the Vizcaíno Desert and a sought-after specimen for specialist collectors in frost-free areas.

Taxonomic Profile

Culture

Full sun. Extremely well-drained, rocky soil. Very drought-tolerant. Frost tender; protect below 30°F (-1°C). Very slow-growing. Difficult to transplant. Best grown from seed in place. A living sculpture for the dedicated desert gardener.