Inflorescence a terminal raceme, usually densely wooly, each flower with a linear bract about as long as the pedicel. Native to southwestern Texas and northern Mexico, west to southeastern California.
Normal habitat is floodplains, ravines, and dry streambeds in arid land.
In Oklahoma, it is usually found at old homesites and in old shelterbelts. Desert willow has been planted in western Oklahoma as an ornamental and in shelterbelts. It persists for many years and may sometimes escape from cultivation.