ˌōkəˈtē(ˌ)(y)ō noun
also oco·ti·lla -ē(y)ə
( -s )
Etymology: Mexican Spanish, diminutive of ocote
1. : a desert shrub ( Fouquieria splendens ) of southwestern United States and Mexico characterized by naked thorny branches that after the rainy season put forth foliage and clusters of scarlet flowers
2. : an ashy gray Mexican shrub ( Gochnatia hypoleuca ) of the family Compositae that is used for making charcoal
[s]ocotillo.jpg[/s]