Chilopsis linearis

Desert-willow

A member of the Bignoniaceae, the Bignonia Family

Branches with flower buds and old seed pods.

Like a true willow, Desert-willow has long narrow leaves and grows along or in watercourses.
It's flowers and fruit, however, reveal its pedigree to be quite different.  The showy, tubular
flowers are quite unlike the fuzzy "pussy-willow" catkins of true willows—and if you
are familiar with Catalpa of the southeastern US, you will notice the similarity in
the flowers, to which they are indeed related.  The long, thin, bean-like fruit are
also quite unlike the stubby capsules of true willows.

In wash off of Essex Road, about two miles northwest of junction with Black Canyon Road,
at ca. 3100 feet elevation.

4 May 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Fruit detail from prior image.

The long brown seed pods split open to release fuzz-topped seeds which waft away
on the winds.  Towards the top of the pod closest to center, you can see
some of the fuzz from the remaining seeds.

4 May 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Flower buds.

My visits were too early in the year to find the tree in bloom, but here is a link
to images of this species blooming in central Arizona:
www.nazflora.org/Chilopsis_linearis.htm

4 May 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Leafy branches.

Same tree as in prior images.

4 May 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Trunk detail.

Same tree as in prior images.

4 May 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.

Habitat, at edge of wash.

Same tree (left of center) as in prior images.

The subject is about eleven feet tall.

4 May 2008.

Image copyright © Lee Dittmann.