Yucca brevifolia - Joshua Tree   Engelmann

Yucca brevifolia is an indicator plant for the Mojave desert and has a National Park named after it. Large specimens grow up to 10m tall and branches bend down or stick out at odd angles.
 
The inflorescence is a short panicle of greenish-white bells held close to the foliage. The flower petals often don't open properly. Flowers are said to have a slightly unpleasant perfume, although it's not easy to get near enough to find out. Several varieties of Yucca brevifolia have been described, although considerable variation in growth is seen between individuals in most populations.
 
Yucca brevifolia is tolerant of cold but not of damp, so only really suitable for landscaping in a really dry climate. However, Joshua Trees are great survivors in otherwise inhospitable locations across parts of Nevada, Arizona and California. This page gathers together images of Joshua Trees from a variety of locations hundreds of miles apart, travelling approximately North to South. Click on thumbnails for larger images.

Rachel, Nevada

Left: near US375, just South of Rachel, Nevada. A large forest of Joshua Trees grows on both sides of the road, with a lush undergrowth of grasses, small scrubby plants and a few cacti.

Death Valley National Park       Park Website  

Left: at Gold Point ghost town, Lida Valley, Nevada. Silver ore was mined here and there are many excavations, spoil heaps and other industrial archaeology. The succulent vegetation appears to be on the edge of survival. Water is scarce and the gravelly soil probably loaded with heavy metals.
 
Right: West of Panamint Valley, California. Despite the aridity and sparse ground cover, the Joshua trees are green and healthy.

North of Las Vegas

Left: Roadside habitat area 20 miles North from Las Vegas occupying a wide strip of gravelly land between the freeway (US95) and government land beyond a fence to the East. Joshua trees were growing together with Yucca schidigera.

Joshua Tree Forest Parkway, Arizona

Left: a substantial forest of Joshua Trees grows either side of the Joshua Tree Forest Parkway (US93) between Wickenburg and Kingman, Arizona. There is a lush undergrowth including grasses, creosote bushes, Yucca schidigera and cacti.

San Bernardino Mountains, Ca.

Left: Joshua Trees growing among conifers in the San Bernardino Mountains, a short walk from US187.

Joshua Tree National Park, California       Park Website  

Above: Yucca brevifolia in flower near the West entrance, Joshua Tree Park, California, May Day 2006.

Extreme left: Joshua Trees are often characteristically bent and twisted.
 
Middle: seedling Joshua Tree.
 
Adjacent: in the middle of the day, the author stands in the welcome shade of a Joshua Tree, estimated as over 27 ft tall. This magnificent specimen is part of the Joshua Tree forest either side of the road to Key's View. The hills behind this forest are host to many interesting succulent plants and well worth exploring.