Desert Challenges: Drought.
Plant Adaptations: Succulent stems.
Desert Ecology:
The boojum has a distinct, tapered succulent stem with light gray bark, and horizontal, spiny branches that produce leaves when sufficient moisture is available. Clusters of white, fragrant flowers on the tops of primary stems bloom in mid to late summer. Although the boojum is endemic to Baja, California and is not truly a Sonoran native, there is a small population on the Gulf coast of Sonora. In their native home, they can reach up to 60 ft. tall. They often topple from high winds and some bend and form loops. Different populations of insect species pollinate in different years in response to environmental cues that are not fully understood.
Ethnobotany:
Boojum is a common name given to the plant by Godfrey Sykes in reference to the mythical creature in Lewis Carrolls book, The Hunting of the Snark.
