1Up Info - A Portal with a Difference

1Up Travel - A Travel Portal with a Difference.    
1Up Info
   

Earth & EnvironmentHistoryLiterature & ArtsHealth & MedicinePeoplePlacesPlants & Animals  • Philosophy & Religion  • Science & TechnologySocial Science & LawSports & Everyday Life Wildlife, Animals, & PlantsCountry Study Encyclopedia A -Z
North America Gazetteer


You are here >1Up Info > Wildlife, Animals, and Plants > Plant Species > Shrub > Species: Chilopsis linearis | Desert Willow
 

Wildlife, Animals, and Plants

 


Wildlife, Animals, and Plants

 

Wildlife Species

  Amphibians

  Birds

  Mammals

  Reptiles

 

Kuchler

 

Plants

  Bryophyte

  Cactus

  Fern or Fern Ally

  Forb

  Graminoid

  Lichen

  Shrub

  Tree

  Vine


VALUE AND USE

SPECIES: Chilopsis linearis | Desert Willow
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : Desert willow is occasionally used for fence posts and fuel [14,46]. IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : Livestock: Livestock generally do not browse desert willow. It is consumed only when other forage is scarce [18,46]. Wildlife: Various species of birds eat desert willow seeds [12,46]. Hummingbirds are attracted to the showy flowers and feed on the nectar [3,12]. Mule deer eat small quantities of the leaves and fruit [34]. PALATABILITY : Desert willow is considered to be unpalatable to livestock and low in palatability to wildlife [5]. The presence of cyanogenic glycosides may account for its low palatability [50]. Following fire, however, tender sprouts may be highly palatable. Two months after a July wildfire in southern California, 55 percent of available desert willow sprouts were browsed by mule deer, bighorn sheep, and cottontail rabbits, but this use declined to about 1 percent within 1 year [41]. NUTRITIONAL VALUE : The sucrose in desert willow nectar is a good energy source for bees and hummingbirds [3]. COVER VALUE : Desert willow provides nesting sites for desert songbirds and cover for other wildlife species [20]. VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : Desert willow is used in soil stabilization plantings. It is often used along highways and in well-drained barrow ditches [36]. Numerous cultivars are available, including 'Barranco', released by the Soil Conservation Service [40], and 'White Storm', 'Dark Storm', 'Marfa Lace', 'Alpine', and 'Tejas', released in 1988 from the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center [36,39]. It is usually transplanted from nursery stock. Removing competing vegetion around transplants and irrigating during the first season after transplanting is recommended [48]. Methods for growing seedlings in a nursery have been discussed [15,48]. Plants may be successfully propogated by both softwood and hardwood cuttings [7,48]. OTHER USES AND VALUES : Desert willow is cultivated as an ornamental because of its attractive flowers [38]. It has been used for roadside beautification, border rows, screenings, and mass plantings [48]. In the 1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps planted desert willow in shelterbelts [35]. Indians used the wood to make bows and baskets [35,46]. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : Use of desert willow by livestock generally indicates overbrowsing or overstocking of the range [45,48].

Related categories for Species: Chilopsis linearis | Desert Willow

Send this page to a friend
Print this Page

Content on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities.

Information Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System

About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy | Links Directory
Link to 1Up Info | Add 1Up Info Search to your site

1Up Info All Rights reserved. Site best viewed in 800 x 600 resolution.