Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree)

FloraFinder uses cookies only for correct operation. More info. Okay

Yucca brevifolia Engelm.

Joshua tree

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Liliopsida	Monocots (plants with a single seed leaf); includes the lily family
Subclass	Liliidae	Includes lilies, orchids, and many others
Order	Asparagales	A diverse group that includes asparagus
Family	Asparagaceae	Agaves, asparagus, hyacinths, and others
Genus	Yucca	Linnaeus mistakenly derived the genus name from the Carib word for (similar-appearing) cassava, yuca
Species	brevifolia

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 12-36" (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 18" (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.

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

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

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 21 × 31" (52 × 78 cm)

7/29/2023 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California · By Susan M. Kent

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

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 31 × 21" (78 × 52 cm)

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

Teddy bear cholla is in the foreground. · 11/12/2010 · Joshua Tree National Park, California · By Constance B. Kent

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 21 × 31" (52 × 78 cm)

Yucca brevifolia description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

Daytime Moon · 7/29/2023 · Park Blvd, Joshua Tree National Park · By Susan M. Kent

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

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

4/30/2018 · Kelbaker Road, Mojave National Preserve, California
≈ 27 × 21" (69 × 52 cm)

A baby joshua tree. · 5/3/2018 · Park Blvd., Joshua Tree National Park
≈ 18 × 25" (45 × 63 cm)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Range:

About this map...