# desert willow (*Chilopsis linearis*) The desert willow is a beautiful tree that grows in dry places. It has long, slender leaves and pretty flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. This tree loves the sun and can survive in hot, sandy areas. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Desert ![desert willow](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chilopsis_linearis_flower_2.jpg) ## Appearance The desert willow is a small, often multi-stemmed tree or large shrub with long, slender, willow-like leaves. It boasts showy, trumpet-shaped flowers, typically in shades of pink, lavender, white, or magenta, sometimes with yellow or purple markings inside. Its distinctive, long, narrow seed pods resemble green beans. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Lamiales - **Family:** Bignoniaceae - **Genus:** Chilopsis ## Interesting facts - Hummingbirds eagerly sip sweet nectar from its beautiful blossoms! - It looks like a willow, but is actually a type of trumpet vine! - Its long seed pods split open to release fuzzy, winged seeds. - Native Americans traditionally used its strong wood for building and tools. ## Special abilities - **Thirsty Rooter:** The desert willow has a deep taproot system that helps it find precious groundwater in dry desert soils. - **Water Saver:** Its long, narrow leaves help the desert willow reduce water loss through evaporation, staying hydrated in the heat. - **Pollinator Beacon:** Desert willow's vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers attract buzzing bees and hummingbirds for successful pollination. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 150-760 cm - **Spread:** 150-760 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-4 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to fall - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar from flowers - **Pollinates:** [Black-chinned Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-chinned-hummingbird) (*Archilochus alexandri*) — sips nectar from blossoms - **Eaten by:** [Black-tailed Jackrabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-tailed-jackrabbit) (*Lepus californicus*) — browses on young shoots - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — grazes on its foliage ## Traits - [Bell-Shaped Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/bell-shaped-flower): Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell. - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths when exploring nature and don't touch plants without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify desert willow? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is desert willow? 150-760 cm ### How wide does desert willow spread? 150-760 cm ### How big are the flowers on desert willow? 2-4 cm ### When does desert willow bloom? Late spring to fall ### Is desert willow edible? No ### Is desert willow toxic? None ### What is desert willow's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Rodman Mountains](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rodman-mountains) — California, US · Natural Landmark - [San Antonio Missions National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park) — Texas, US · National Park - [Calico Early Man Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-early-man-site) — California, US · Historic District - [Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-museum-and-chihuahuan-desert-gardens) — US · Botanical Garden - [Downtown Deming Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-deming-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Faraway Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/faraway-ranch-historic-district) — Arizona, US · Historic District [View all places to see desert willow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/desert-willow) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Desert Willow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-willow)