Desert Willow - Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Natural Habitat and Special Adaptations
* Grows near rivers or lakes so that it can take up
more water through its roots.
* Loses its leaves during winter dormant period, from
November through February.
* Often grows quickly into a multi-trunk tree,
making it more likely to survive strong winds without
breaking branches.
Ecological Interactions
* Birds sometimes rest or build nests in its
branches.
* Sphinx moth caterpillars feed on the leaves.
Human and Landscape Uses
* Some Mexicans, Tohono O’odham and Aikimel O’odham
use the smallest branches in basket weaving because
they are flexible. Wood is used in house construction,
bow construction and frames to hold ollas. Bark is used in
making nets, shirts and breechclouts. Medicinally, bark is
used topically as an antifungal agent.
Seasonal Changes
* Leafs-out in March or April,
soon followed by flowers.
* Drops leaves in fall and remains
leafless through winter.
* Seed pods ripen and open in
winter, so the seeds can be
ready to grow with the spring
or summer rains.
Temperature Extremes
* Drops leaves at about 30ºF (-1ºC)
but will not suffer stem damage until
18ºF (-8ºC) or lower.
Soil Needs
* Tolerates almost any soil.
Special Care
* Watch for seedling
volunteers and pull them
while they are small.
* Pruning a few small branches
can be done anytime. Wait
to prune any large branches
until December or January.

Desert Willow
Type and Size
Mimbre
Tree to 25’ tall X 25’ wide
Chilopsis linearis
Water Needs
Moderate
Sunlight Needs
Full Sun
Flower Color
White, Pink or
Magenta
Pollinators
Bees, Hummingbirds
Flower Season
April to
September
Range
Texas to California
© 2005 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Natural Habitat and Special Adaptations
* Grows near rivers or lakes so that it can take up
more water through its roots.
* Loses its leaves during winter dormant period, from
November through February.
* Often grows quickly into a multi-trunk tree,
making it more likely to survive strong winds without
breaking branches.
Ecological Interactions
* Birds sometimes rest or build nests in its
branches.
* Sphinx moth caterpillars feed on the leaves.
Human and Landscape Uses
* Some Mexicans, Tohono O’odham and Aikimel O’odham
use the smallest branches in basket weaving because
they are flexible. Wood is used in house construction,
bow construction and frames to hold ollas. Bark is used in
making nets, shirts and breechclouts. Medicinally, bark is
used topically as an antifungal agent.
Seasonal Changes
* Leafs-out in March or April,
soon followed by flowers.
* Drops leaves in fall and remains
leafless through winter.
* Seed pods ripen and open in
winter, so the seeds can be
ready to grow with the spring
or summer rains.
Temperature Extremes
* Drops leaves at about 30ºF (-1ºC)
but will not suffer stem damage until
18ºF (-8ºC) or lower.
Soil Needs
* Tolerates almost any soil.
Special Care
* Watch for seedling
volunteers and pull them
while they are small.
* Pruning a few small branches
can be done anytime. Wait
to prune any large branches
until December or January.