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Chilopsis linearis - (Cav.)Sweet.

Common Name Desert Willow
Family Bignoniaceae
USDA hardiness 7-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Gravelly or rocky soils in arid desert washes and desert grasslands, 400 - 1600 metres[227, 229]. Plants attain their greatest size when growing along streams and in low places[229].
Range South-western N. America - California to Texas south to Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Chilopsis linearis Desert Willow
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Lavender, Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Chilopsis linearis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Seedpod
Edible Uses:

The blossoms and seedpods have been used for food[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Pectoral

A decoction of the flowers is used for coughs and bronchial disturbances[227].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Fibre  Wood

The young pliable twigs are woven into baskets[227, 274]. The bark is removed and the shoots are used unsplit as rod foundations in coil basketry[257]. The bark has been used to make shirts and nets[257]. Wood - coarse-grained, soft, weak, rather durable in the soil. Used for fence posts and fuel[227].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Pollard, Standard, Specimen. Requires a very warm sunny position in a very well-drained soil[260]. Plants are likely to be intolerant of wet conditions especially in the winter[K]. This species is not very hardy outdoors in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[260]. The showy flowers are fragrant[229]. Special Features:Attracts birds, North American native, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - we have very little information on this species but would suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. It will probably pay to protect the plants for their first winter or two in the open ground. There are about 75,000 seeds per pound, only half of which are viable. About 4,000 plants are usually raised from a pound of seed[227]. Grows readily from cuttings[227].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Cav.)Sweet.

Botanical References

200227

Links / References

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Subject : Chilopsis linearis  
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