Desert Willow, scientific name Chilopsis linearis. A cold hardy tree in the Catalpa family; native to the Southwest, including Southern California. Not a true willow; a “monogenus” plant: the only Chilopsis of its kind. These trees can reach about 40 feet and are very cold hardy - established plants can survive temperatures as low as Zone 5a (-20 to -15F).
The pods, leaves and flowers are edible and medicinal, and the fun part here was the joy of discovering the fuzzy, winged seeds inside slender pods.
If you want to start a tree from seed this isn’t some six month to two year germinator the way many tree seeds can be, this is an ideal candidate. Expect germination in 7-21 days in ideal soil temps of 65F. The seed is highly viable; the certified organic harvest from Ivan's Meadow tested at 96 percent viability under lab conditions.