Fouquieria splendens

Fouquieria splendens is a common species throughout its relatively wide range in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is slow-growing and has multiple uses, some of which involve wild-collection. It is also locally threatened by urbanization and development. Despite this, it appears to be relatively robust and not generally threatened at this time. However, land use management practices (e.g., use of fire) may impact populations in the future. At the present time Fouquieria splendens appears to be sufficiently common to be secure.

Fouquieria splendens occurs in the United States in Arizona, southern California, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas. In Mexico it occurs in Sonora, Cohuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo (Mason and Mason 1987) and northern Baja California (Juanita Ladyman, personal observation).

More than 100. Arizona: >20; New Mexico: >20; California: >20; Texas: >20; Nevada: unknown. Also in Mexico.

Fouquieria splendens is primarily used for landscaping and does not appear to be grown for its medicinal value. Plants sold in reputable nurseries are obtained from private land (e.g., ranches) under permit. There are typically two types of products: smaller plants in one gallon pots and large bare-root "belt and burlapped" individuals. Although the plants transplant well if there are sufficient roots attached, many that are dug are not treated well and two thirds or more of those dug up are likely not to survive. The commercial volume is unknown but is estimated by a person knowledgeable within the trade to be several thousand per year around the Van Horn and Presidio regions in western Texas. Whole plants are always sold. Propagation has been reported using cuttings although conversations with horticulturists indicate that this is less easy than the literature indicates. The plant can also be grown from seed but is a relatively slow grower.

In Mexico, F. splendens is used as fencing, and extracted resin from harvested plants may be exported to other countries (Tull 1987).

Urban and agricultural development and mineral extraction are significant threats to some populations.

Wildfires may be a threat to Fouquieria splendens. Although it can sprout from the root crown following damage from fire, its sprouting ability is probably dependent on fire severity (White 1969). Seedlings are not known to establish in recently burned areas (Mathews 1994) and its seeds are unlikely survive for long in the soil (Zedler 1981). In fact, burning has been suggested as a control method for woody species, such as Fouquieria splendens, in desert grasslands (Mathews 1994).

The endangered Lucifer hummingbird's habitat in New Mexico centers on slopes and adjacent canyons in arid montane areas dominated by Fouquieria splendens and agave species (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 1991)