Fouquieriaceae
Fouquieriaceae is a small family that only consists of a single genus, Fouquieria, and 11 species that are endemic to North American deserts. Fouquieriaceae is the most renowned for ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens, and is therefore dubbed the "ocotillo family".
Most plants possess succulent stems - few are rarely succulent - while all species possess thorns and seasonally-deciduous leaves. Although the columnar, spiny growth of the ocotillo family is similar to Didiereaceae, the latter is endemic to Madagascar, has succulent leaves, and develops a larger growth habit than Fouquieriaceae. Despite their similarity, Didiereaceae and Fouquieriaceae are not related, and Didiereaceae species are more closely associated with the Cactaceae family (1, 2).
Most plants possess succulent stems - few are rarely succulent - while all species possess thorns and seasonally-deciduous leaves. Although the columnar, spiny growth of the ocotillo family is similar to Didiereaceae, the latter is endemic to Madagascar, has succulent leaves, and develops a larger growth habit than Fouquieriaceae. Despite their similarity, Didiereaceae and Fouquieriaceae are not related, and Didiereaceae species are more closely associated with the Cactaceae family (1, 2).