Al Braden Photographer

Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens Waving in the desert breeze, they seem from another world. Ocotillo bring forth bright red flowers in spring - and temporary foliage any time following rains. During dry spells, the leaves are shed to preserve water.

Havard Agave, Agave havardiana Agave, or Century Plant is an iconic plant in the Big Bend area. It is amazingly designed to capture what little rain that falls and channels it to a root system that grows for 20 years or more storing energy. When the time is right, the Agave sends up a giant flower stalk in a matter of days, flowers brilliantly for several weeks and then dies.

Sotol, Dasylirion leiophyllum Popularily called the Desert Candle, Sotol is related to the pineapple and thrives in the Chihuahua desert climate. This male plant looks similiar to the female at a distance and produces profuse quantities of pollen, while the female flower stalk is covered with masses of tiny white flowers. Native Americans roated the sotol heart for food, while more currently it is used to ferment sotol liquior.

Lechuguilla, agave lechugilla A member of the Agave family, Lechugilla produces a dramatic flower stalk at the end of its life. It is a marker species of the Chihuahuan Desert, common throughout west Texas, New Mexico and northern Mexico.

Giant Dagger Yucca, Yucca faxoniana The Giant Dagger produces dramatic blooms in Big Bend's Dagger Canyon. It is the most impressive of the yucca's in Big Bend National Park.

Torrey yucca, Yucca Treculeana Torrey is the most widespread Yucca in west Texas and the Big Bend area.

Soaptree Yucca, Yucca elata The Soaptree Yucca blooms widely in west Texas and is the official state yucca of New Mexico. It's name derives from the soap that was produced from its roots, but it was also a valuable source of fiber.

Thompson Yucca, Yucca thompsoniana The Thompson Yucca can produce large and dramatic flower stalks. It is one of the four yucca species found in Big Bend National Park.

Twistleaf Yucca, Yucca rupicola The Twistleaf Yucca grows widely in the Edwards Plateau of Texas, producing bright flowers in the late spring.

Candelilla, uphorbia antisyphilitica The slender stalks of Candellia are harvested for the waxy coating that protects the plant's moisture from evaporation.

Many shrubs fill the landscapes of Big Bend, with Purple Sage and Yellows Bells being the most colorful.

A little rain can make all the difference in the deserts of Texas.