BIGNONIACEAE

BIGNONIA FAMILY

Lawrence R. Heckard

Perennial to tree (many woody vines)
Leaves generally 1–3-pinnately or -palmately compound, rarely simple, generally opposite or whorled
Flower bisexual, showy; calyx generally 5-lobed, sometimes 2-lipped; corolla funnel- or bell-shaped, 5-lobed, generally 2-lipped; stamens epipetalous, generally 4, paired, a 5th vestigial or 0; ovary superior, chambers generally 2, placentas 4, axile (or chamber 1, placentas 2–4, parietal), style long, stigma 2-lobed
Fruit: generally capsule, long, cylindric, 2-valved
Seeds many, flat, generally winged
Genera in family: 110 genera, 800 species: generally tropical, especially South America.; many ornamental (Campsis , trumpet creeper; Catalpa ; Jacaranda ).

CHILOPSIS

DESERT-WILLOW

Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (Greek: resembling lips, from flower shape)
[Henrickson 1985 Aliso 11:179–197]

Native

C. linearis (Cav.) Sweet subsp. arcuata (Fosb.) Henr.

Shrub or tree 1.5–7 m, willow-like
Leaves deciduous, generally alternate (often some opposite to whorled on same plant); blade 10–26 cm, ± linear, curved
Inflorescence: panicle or raceme, terminal
Flower: calyx 8–14 mm, inflated, 2-lipped, generally soft-hairy, purplish; corolla 2–5 cm, sweetly fragrant, generally light pink to lavender with yellow ridges and purple lines on throat and lower lobes, lobes spreading, margins jagged, wavy; stamens included; stigma lobes closing when touched
Fruit < 35 cm, linear, round in X -section
Seed 6–12 mm, oblong; both ends long-hairy
Chromosomes: 2n=40
Ecology: Common. Sandy washes
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: Desert, adjacent Transverse Ranges, Peninsular Ranges
Distribution outside California: to Utah, New Mexico, n Mexico
Flowering time: May–Sep
Horticultural information: SUN, DRN: 7, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24 &IRR: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.