Desert Willow
Many desert plants have adapted to a very harsh environment. They have to contend with temperatures up to 150°F, as well as with very little water. On top of all that, the soil is full of salt. One of these plants the Desert Willow. It survives in the desert. It even throws in some bright flowers.
The Desert Willow isn’t an actual Willow. It’s a member of the Bigonia family. It’s the only Begonia that grows in California. This plant can be found in Northern Mexico, southwest Texas and all the way into southern California. It is a native of the Sonoran, Mojave and Chihuahuan deserts.
The plant can become quite large. This shrub can have 6 inch diameter trunks. Overall the plant can be as much as 25 feet long. Leaves grow as long as 6 inches with sharp spines at the ends. Their flowers can be up to 2 inches long. Fruit is shaped like a cigar and can reach 8 inches in length. Seeds of this plant have tiny wings that allow them to spread further from the parent plant.
The Desert Willow is a phreatophyte, a type of plant that grows long roots to absorb water either from the ground supply or water table. Since these plants grow near streams, rivers and pools, flowering is a sign that water can be found. It will either be standing water, or at least a full water table. It does not produce flowers when conditions are dry. Desert experts use the flower when they’re looking for water. Don’t look for a Desert Willow in the ultra-dry deserts like the Atacama Desert where water is really scarce.
The Desert Willow is also called Mimbre. It’s also used to make a tea. This tea is made from the dried flowers. The wood is strong enough to be used in fence posts. People get a lot of use out of this plant.
The Desert Willow is pretty unique.
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