Fouquieria columnaris

Fouquieria columnaris

Family: Fouquieriaceae
Common Names: boojum, boojum tree
Geographic Origin: Fouquieria columnaris is native to alluvial plains and rocky hillsides within the Sonoran Desert. It is found on the west coast of Baja California, occupying the southern Sierra de San Pedro Martir to the Volcan Las Tres Virgenes, and on Angel de la Guarda Island.
Description: F. columnaris is a treelike succulent with a magnificent form, reaching up to 70 feet in its natural habitat. When young, specimens are bushy, with many thorned, lateral branches. But once mature, the trunk will become columnar, straight, and tapering – either completely erect, like an upside-down carrot, or developing unusual arches. The oldest trees will divide into apical stems, resembling the arms of an octopus. Otherwise, stems are rarely branching but covered in numerous spike-like twigs.
The deciduous, ovate leaves are yellowish green to glaucous, fleshy, and occur in bunches along the stem. From July to August, creamy yellow tubular flowers will bloom in spike-like clusters at the top of the trunk, on branch apexes. Flowers will be followed by the 3-valved, light brown fruits, which resemble a 3-petaled flower once open.
Interesting Features:

Due to its unusual appearance, the boojum is often considered to be the strangest tree on earth, and was aptly named for a mystical creation.
Godfrey Sykes of Tucson’s Desert Laboratory dubbed F. columnaris the “boojum tree” in honor of the mystical “boojum” in Lewis Carroll’s poem, “The Hunting of the Snark”.
Boojum trees are protected in their natural habitat, and wild harvesting is forbidden by the Mexican government. Therefore, as a result of their popularity in cultivation and very slow growth, nursery-grown specimens can be very expensive – up to $1000 per square foot.

Uses: No ethnobotanical or medicinal uses are known for F. columnaris, but the plant is very striking in cultivation, and can become an impressive centerpiece in xeric gardens.

Cultivation and Care:
- Watering: Low

Boojum trees require very little water once established. Water once a week during the winter growing season, and reduce or limit irrigation in the dormant summer period.
If sited in the ground, water is only necessary every 2-3 weeks.
Plants will signal dehydration by developing yellow or brown foliage, or by dropping leaves. Increase irrigation if necessary.

     - Soil Type: Site in a sandy, well-draining soil with an acidic pH - preferably around 4.5 - and provide a cactus or succulent soil supplemented with sand, gravel, or decomposed granite to aid drainage.
     - Lighting: Young boojum should be given partial shade to protect delicate new growth. However, mature F. columnaris require full sun in order to thrive.
     - Propagation: The boojum tree can be propagated through seed – however, seeds are often difficult to find, and germination rates are inconsistent.
     - Cold tolerance: 25-40°F, USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11
     - Special Accommodations: If growing as a container-plant, ensure that adequate nutrition is provided by siting in a semi-rich substrate, and feeding in February with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Although large specimens can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F, less developed boojum should not be exposed to temperatures below 32°F for more than brief overnight periods.

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