Desert Willow

• Common Name: Desert Willow
• Latin Name: Chilopsis linearis
• Family Name: Bignoniaceae

This deciduous spreading shrub or small tree is one of the staple components of the diet of Desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in North America, and is safe to feed to all species as part of a wide and varied diet.  The leathery leaves might be less attractive to some of the smaller species, but the flowers will be relished by all.  The flowers vary in colour from solid white or muted pink to darker rose and purple, as well as two-toned combinations of those colours, with the throats of the flowers often having a yellow tinge.