Fouquieria columnaris
Cirio on the Baja California in the region Cataviña
Boojum tree is a plant of the genus Fouquieria in the monotypic family of Fouquieriaceae. Trivial names are Cirio [ θi.ɾio ] Boojum [ bu ː. Dʒʌm ] and Cototaj [ kototax ] ( Seri ). Your habit reminiscent of the way and the genus Pachypodium lealii Alluaudia.
Description
Boojum tree grows tree structure with a single, thick, 1-16 (rarely to 24) meters high trunk that tapers gradually upwards. At the base of the trunk diameter is 20 to 40 (rarely to 64) cm. The grayish green bark is smooth. From the trunk arise numerous, spirally arranged, thin, woody side shoots from 30 to 60 centimeters in length and diameters 5-7 mm. On the side shoots are 5 to 25 millimeters long thorns. The alternate arranged leaves are narrowly ovate. They are 15 to 20 mm long and 5-6 mm wide. The leaf axils spring two to three smaller, about 5 mm long and 1 mm wide leaves.
The inflorescences appear frequently in the crown, but sometimes terminally to the side branches. The panicles are 13 to 40 (rarely to 60) cm long. Your 6 to 8 millimeters long, fragrant flowers are creamy yellow. The 10 to 12 stamens protrude.
The chromosome number is 2n = 72
Systematics and distribution
Boojum tree is widespread in Mexico, Baja California, on the Isla Ángel de la Guarda and in the state of Sonora south of Puerto Libertad.
The first description as Idria columnaris was published in 1860 by Albert Kellogg. In 1885, he placed the species of the genus Fouquieria.
A synonym is Fouquieria gigantea.