Treelike shrub to 6-20 feet tall which is easily confused with the ocotillo (F. splendens) and occurs with it in habitat, though it tends to be far less common. May be distinguished based on its thicker, more definite trunk (rather than a collection of whip-like stems coming from the base) and the number of stamens per flower (usually 10, rather than the 12-15 of F. splendens). Very young plants may be nearly impossible to discriminate. Also overlaps in range with the very different F. columnaris (cirio). Red flowers are most abundant from February through May and are pollinated by hummingbirds.

A near-endemic of Baja California, found in the central desert and northern rain shadow areas, south through the Cape region. Also found on several Gulf islands and in Sonora and Sinaloa. Toward the southern end of its range, this plant is taller and more tree-like.

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