1958 Ocotillo Desert Postcard

This vintage postcard captures the dramatic beauty of the Ocotillo in bloom, its tall, spiny stems reaching skyward like fiery spears across the desert landscape. In spring or following a rare desert rain, the tips of each cane-like stalk erupt in clusters of vivid crimson-red, tubular flowers that seem to set the arid surroundings aflame. Though often mistaken for a cactus, the Ocotillo is a drought-deciduous succulent shrub, native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts, with a unique life rhythm that allows it to appear dormant much of the year before bursting into spectacular color.

Known by many names, including Monkey Tail, Coach Whip, and Candle-wood, the Ocotillo has long fascinated desert travelers for its unusual form and sudden bursts of beauty. Photographed in rich color and reproduced using CurteichColor 3-D natural color techniques, this postcard preserves the striking contrast between the vivid flowers and the spiny, sculptural stems.