| A large Joshua tree located in the Antelope Valley in southern California. |  |
Yucca brevifolia
Throughout the southwest including California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. It can be found on plains, hills, and mesas in dry soil from 2000' to 6000'. It can be found both individually and in groves.
The Joshua tree is the largest of the Yucca family and sometimes grows to a height of over 40 feet. Of all things, it is a relative of the Lily family. Its leaves are more like "daggers" than the typical leaf of a tree. They cover the body of the plant hanging downward on the trunk. This can prevent some animals from being able to safely climb one. The branches are few compared to a typical tree and are totally covered with the "dagger" type leaves. The trunks are beige to grey in color. It produces bell shaped flowers usually blooming from March to May. It was given its name by the Mormons who settled much of the desert areas. New plants sometimes get their start from the suckers of other nearby plants. Although pioneers often tried to use the trunks for either fuel or a building material, its wood is weak and generally not suited for the tasks. Many birds both large and small, make their homes in the branches of the tree.
A quick note, Joshua trees are common in many areas and you may encounter them in unexpected ways. I once had a slow leak in one of my tires. I went to the tire store to have it checked out and they found five holes made with Joshua spines that had managed to work their way through the steel plys of the tire. The leaks were small and therefore the tire was slow to lose air. Needless to say, the tire people were excited because they had never seen that before. I must have ran over a couple of the "daggers" when I was traveling on one of the many dirt roads that I find myself on.
 |
On the right is a young Joshua tree. |  |
 |
Joshua tree in bloom. |  |
Reference: Deserts, An Audubon Society Nature Guide and California Desert Wildflowers by Philip A. Munz