Desert Willow

Call the desert willow a tree-like shrub or a shrub-like tree. This dark-green plant stands up to 12 feet tall in desert washes and dry creek beds. If you encounter a desert willow in late spring or summer when it is in flower, it may seem to be dotted with pinkish snowflakes. The desert willow has bean-like fruits, but does not belong to the legume family. Despite the name, it is not a member of the willow family. The photos below show both the flowers and the fruits of the desert willow which is a member of the bignonia family, or Bignoniaceae.