Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Desert Willow ~ Orchid Beauty

Desert Willow, Flowering Willow, Willowleaf Catalpa, Desert Catalpa, Flor de Mimbre, Mimbre, Bow Willow
Chilopsis linearis 

At first glance our piece of the Chihuahuan Desert will deceive you. The untrained eye will focus on the vast dry acres of creosote bush, mesquite and saltbush, but the desert has magic; every Spring it presents us with our very own version of an orchid!  Yes, I know it is not really an orchid, but look closely at its  delicate, frilly, pink and white bloom and you would swear it came straight out of a hothouse. I remember my first encounter with this willow, standing in disbelief at the base of a 30ft tree covered in these amazing delicate blossoms fluttering in the New Mexico breeze, it was like finding a miracle.  This morning there are eleven Desert Willows in full-bloom surrounding my house, smack in the middle of extreme weather, on the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, God is good.
Enjoy your day!

 Chilopsis linearis









 

1 comment:

Maria Rose said...

So beautiful. I love that the desert only gives up its beauty to those willing to look for it.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...