DESERT WILLOW Chilopsis linearis

Range:

Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts from southern California to southwest Texas, as well as northern Mexico between 1000 and 5000 feet.


Habitat:

Along desert washes, creeks, stream banks and drainages.


Flowers:

Large, fragrant, orchid-like flowers, 1-1/4 inches long with white edges and pink-to-purple throats normally bloom from April to August. But these funnel form, tubular flowers have been seen blooming as late as November.


Fruit:

Long, brown, slender pods grows 4 to 8 inches long. Fruit matures in autumn, splits in two, and remains on the tree until spring. Pods contain numerous flat, tan seeds with dual hair wings.


Description:

The Desert Willow is an upright shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 25 feet. The trunk grows up to 6 inches in diameter and has dark brown, scaly bark. Narrow, alternate, light-green leaves are 3 to 6 inches long with very pointed ends. Slender brown twigs are often hairy or sticky.


The Desert Willow is not a member of the Willow Family (Saliaceae) as are true willows, but is the only species of the Bigonia Family (Bigoniaceae). This deciduous plant is classed as a phreatophyte, and is an indicator that water is not too far below the surface during part of the year.


The common Spanish name Mimbre means willow-like, referring to the long, slender leaves. The wood of the Desert Willow is used for fenceposts. A tea is sometimes made from the dried flowers and seed pods.