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Yucca brevifolia Engelm.

Joshua tree

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassLiliopsidaMonocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
SubclassLiliidaeIncludes lilies, orchids, and many others
OrderAsparagalesA diverse group that includes asparagus
FamilyAsparagaceaeAgaves, asparagus, hyacinths, and others
GenusYuccaLinnaeus mistakenly derived the genus name from the Carib word for (similar-appearing) cassava, yuca
Speciesbrevifolia

About plant names...

It is hard to believe, but Joshua trees are yuccas. The common name is often said to derive from a group of Mormon settlers, one of whom felt that the tree's upward-pointing branches reminded him of a biblical story about Joshua, arms upraised in prayer. However, this story has not been corroborated. These trees are natives of the southwestern United States.

Plants: Joshua trees are found alone or in groves on desert plains, slopes and mesas in the Mojave Desert, or Queen Valley and Lost Horse Valley in Joshua Tree National Park. They are found at elevations of 2000-6000′ (609-1828 m). Trees are 15-40′ (4.6-12 m) high, and 1-3′ (30-91 cm) around.

Leaves: Linear, bayonet-shaped, 6-14″ (15-35 cm) long × ¼-½″ (7-15 mm) wide at the base. Leaf edges are serrate, and taper to sharp points.

Flowers: Bell-shaped, cream-colored blossoms are 1¼-1½″ (3.2-3.8 cm) around. They occur in dense clusters up to 1½′ (45 cm) long.

Fruits: Fruits are light brown to reddish capsules, 2½-5″ (6.3-12 cm) × 2″ (5 cm), with six cells.

See the Yucca page for a comparison with other yuccas.

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

Photo by Takwish, taken in the Mojave Desert near Kramer Junction, CA, 3/11/2008.

Online References:

Wikipedia

DesertUSA: Exploring the Southwest

The USDA Forest Service's Fire Effects Information Database

Wikimedia Commons (extensive photos)

CalPhotos (more photos)

References:

Irish, Mary & Irish, Gary, Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants: A Gardener’s Guide, Timber Press, 2000, p. 239

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · By Susan M. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · By Susan M. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · By Susan M. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

Teddy bear cholla is in the foreground. · 10/11/2023 · Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · By Constance B. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia

 

Yucca brevifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 30 Sep 2023.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

Daytime Moon · 5/3/2018 · Park Blvd, Joshua Tree National Park · By Susan M. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd, Joshua Tree National Park, Cali­fornia · By Susan M. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · ≈ 8 × 12″ (20 × 31 cm)

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

A baby joshua tree. · 5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/29/2018 · Red Spring Calico Basin, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Parker Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park · By Susan M. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia · By Susan M. Kent

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, Cali­fornia

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park

Range:

About this map...