Deserts are full of plants that have adapted to a harsh environment. Not only must they deal with a lack of water, but also with temperature extremes that can go from 150F during the day to freezing at night. On top of all that, the soil is full of salt. One of these plants the Desert Willow. It survives in the desert. The bright flowers it provides are a surprise to many people.
The Desert Willow isn’t an actual Willow. Believe it or not it’s a Begonia. In fact, it’s the only type of Bigonia that grows in California. It grows in northern Mexico, southwestern Texas, and through to Southern California. It is a native of the Sonoran, Mojave and Chihuahuan deserts.
It’s a big plant. The trunk can be as much as 6 inches thick. It’s also quite long – reaching up to 25 feet. Leaves grow as long as 6 inches with sharp spines at the ends. The flowers, which look like orchids, grow to up to two inches long. There’s even fruit on this plant in the form of cigar like pods that are 8 inches long. They contain seeds with little wings that help them spread when they fall from the plant or are blown by the wind.
The Desert Willow has long roots that pool water all the way from the deep water table. When you see flowers, that means water is nearby. That’s means some digging will probably produce moisture. In dry conditions it doesn’t flower. A desert wanderer can look for these flowers to find 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. The Mimbre, a Spanish name meaning willow-like, is sometimes used to make a tea. This tea is made from the dried flowers. The wood is strong enough to be used in fence posts. It’s a plant with many uses for people.
The Desert Willow is pretty unique.
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