(Chilopsis linearis)
Family:
Bignoniaceae
Description
Large shrub or small tree, often with leaning trunk. It has an open, spreading crown. Height is 25 ft. (7.6 m). Diameter is 6 in. (15 cm). Leaves are 3–6 in. (7.5–15 cm) long and 0.25–0.38 in. (6–10 mm) wide. They are linear, straight or slightly curved, very long-pointed at ends, light green and sometimes hairy or sticky. Bark is dark brown, furrowed into scaly ridges. Flowers 1.25 in. (3 cm) long and wide. They are bell-shaped corolla with five unequal lobes. Flowers appear from late spring to early summer. Fruit is 4–8 in. (10–20 cm) long, 0.25 in. (6 mm) in diameter. They are a dark brown, cigar-like capsule that matures in autumn. Inside the capsules are many flat, light brown seeds with two papery, hairy wings.
Habitat
Moist soils of stream banks and drainages in plains and foothills, deserts and desert grassland zones. Often forming thickets. Native to New Mexico.
Discussion
This tree is important in erosion control and is planted also as an ornamental. Despite its name, this species is not related to willows.