Chilopsis

Chilopsis is a monotypic genus of flowering plants containing the single species Chilopsis linearis. It is known commonly as desert willow[4] or desert-willow[1] because of its willow-like leaves, but it is not a true willow – being instead a member of the catalpa family.

Chilopsis

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Bignoniaceae
Tribe: Catalpeae
Genus: Chilopsis
D.Don[2]
Species:
C. linearis
Binomial name
Chilopsis linearis
Natural range of Chilopsis linearis
Synonyms[3]

Bignonia linearis Cav.
Chilopsis saligna D.Don

It is a shrub or tree native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is commonly seen in washes and along riverbanks.

Description

Ranging from 1.5 to as much as 8 meters in height, it can take the form of a shrub or small tree. The linear, curved, deciduous leaves are 10 to 26 cm long and just a few millimeters wide.

The generic name is derived from the Greek words χεῖλος, (cheilos), meaning "lip," and ὄψις (opsis), meaning "resembling," referring to the flowers. They occur in a terminal panicle or raceme, blooming in May through September. About two to four flowers at a time are open in each inflorescence. The calyx is about 8–14 mm, slightly inflated, and varying shades of purple, while the corolla is 2–5 cm, and with colors ranging from lavender to light pink. The throat and lower lip has a pattern of yellow ridges and purple lines, and the margins are crinkled. It is pollinated primarily by large bees in the family Apidae, such as carpenter bees, bumblebees, Anthophora, and Centris. The fruit is a linear pod up to 35 cm long, containing numerous winged seeds.

There are two subspecies:

  • Chilopsis linearis subsp. linearis. Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas, Mexico.
  • Chilopsis linearis subsp. arcuata. Nevada, California, Baja California.

Distribution and habitat

As a phreatophyte, it is well adapted to ephemeral desert washes and sandy streams. It can be found through much of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is usually found below 5,000 feet (1,500 m).[5]

Cultivation and uses

It is cultivated for its large, showy flowers, and tolerance of hot, dry climates. Although the natural growth is a very irregular shape, it can be readily pruned into a conventional tree shape. A number of cultivars have been selected. Some, such as 'Rio Salado', have dark purple or magenta flowers.

Chilopsis may survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees F (-12 °C).

Chilopsis is closely related to the genus Catalpa and hybrids can be made between the two genera. The nothogeneric hybrid between Chilopsis linearis and Catalpa bignonioides has been named ×Chitalpa tashkentensis. It originated in a botanic garden at Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

Parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine. It has been used to treat fungal infections[6] such as candidiasis and athlete's foot, as well as wounds and cough.[7]

The wood was used to make bows and baskets.[8]

  • Habit
  • subsp. arcuata
  • 'Rio Salado'
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References
  1. Chilopsis linearis. NatureServe. 2012.
  2. Quattrocchi, U. (2000). CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. 1 A-C. CRC Press. p. 514. ISBN 978-0-8493-2675-2.
  3. "Chilopsis linearis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  4. Chilopsis linearis. USDA PLANTS.
  5. Pavek, Diane S. (1993). "Carnegiea gigantea". US Forest Service Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Retrieved 2019-10-02.
  6. Moore, M. (1989). Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West. Museum of New Mexico Press. ISBN 0-89013-104-X.
  7. Ross, J., et al. Chilopsis linearis. Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine Medicinal Plants of the Southwest. New Mexico State University. 2001.
  8. Vines, R. (1960). Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of the Southwest. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-73414-2.
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