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Boojum tree

Boojum tree
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Division:Magnoliophyta
Class:Magnoliopsida
Order:Ericales/Violales
Family:Fouquieriaceae
Genus:Fouquieria
Species:columnaris
Binomial name
Fouquieria columnaris

The boojum, Fouquieria columnaris, is a bizarre-looking tree native to Baja California, in the family Fouquieriaceae. Its name is derived from Lewis Carroll's poem "The Hunting of the Snark."

The trunk is up to 24 cm thick, with branches sticking out at right angles, all covered with small leaves (1.5-4 cm). The boojum can grow to a height of 20 m. The flowers bloom in summer and autumn; they occur in short racemes, and are creamy yellow, with a honey scent.