DESERT WILLOW
Chilopsis linearis

DESERT WILLOW
Chilopsis linearis

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. It grows along desert washes and creeks, stream banks and drainages.

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-shaped,
tubular flowers have been seen blooming as early as November.
Long, brown, cigar-like pods grow 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.
Narrow, alternate, light-green leaves are 3 to 6 inches long
with very pointed ends. Slender brown twigs are often hairy or sticky.
The wood of the Desert Willow is used for fence posts.
A tea is sometimes made from the dried flowers and seedpods.