Ocotillo plants are blooming all over Nevada - these two are in Sun City Mesquite and seem to be hiding among the thicker trees and bushes. Pretending to be a cactus. Fooled me - I thought they were cactus, or cacti - until I looked them up on Wikipedia and found out that they are Fouquieria splendens Engelm, which is a plant. Just another plant.
Without the flowers blooming, they look like very large spiders standing on their heads - hence, the rumor that these plants were left here centuries ago by aliens. Why they were left here .... who knows? I am sure that the aliens have a very good reason. I am also sure that we will find out as soon as it is too late to do anything about it.
These plants can survive on only 8 inches of rain per year, which is just about our annual average. This year, we have already had our yearly average - which is why the cactus and imposter plants are blooming so prolifically right now. It really is a glorious show going on right now in Mesquite - and that includes the alien spiders with their crimson blooms.
Ocotillo blooms in Mesquite NV - not really a cactus, just looks like one.
And this May 31 Day challenge is killing me.
Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Agent ~ ~ ERA
Virginia Hepp ~ Mesquite Realtor 
Hello Virginia - I love the title of your post, the photo and the story!
VB ;o)
VB - thanks, those ocotillo plants are pretty wierd looking.
Hi Virginia, what great photos. I love the ocotilllos! Keep up the good work with your challenge, you can do it!
Erika, I was out of town for 5 days, it was tough to keep up the pace.
I had always thought they were a cactus, too, but my other half taught me better the first time we went to Palm Springs where they grow everywhere.
Jim - Russel knows a lot of good stuff - they grow everywhere here, too, like bugs. :)