Yucca Brevifolia is well known by its common term, Joshua Tree, and association with the National Park of its namesake. Often occuring in biomes alongside one of its similar relatives, Mojave Yucca, they both have strong, sharp, spike like serrated foliage, however those on Joshua Trees are shorter, thinner, and more gray green. Yucca Brevifolia grows taller, branches more, and has more consistant coverage of marcescent leaves.
Joshua Trees generally do not grow at less than 1,500 feet, mostly absent from the lower Sonoran Desert. Its endemic range passes through Pioneertown at approximately 4,500 feet, and generally indicates the borders of the Mojave Desert. Yucca Brevifolia appear more likely to thrive at elevations closer to or above 3,000 feet, with observable differences between the Specimens in 29 Palms at approximately 2,000 feet, versus the town of Joshua Tree at 2,700, Yucca Valley near 3,400, and Pioneertown. Altitude plays an important role, asserting influence on temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors which affect plants in a variety of ways.
Yucca Brevifolia are extremely hearty and can survive snowy slopes on the way up to Big Bear Lake, to the blazing hot and dry summers in parts Joshua Tree National Park. Flowers bloom February to April in plumes which appear densely packed upon one another. The cluster of flowers, called an inflorescence in botany, tapers as it terminates. Mature specimens provide numerous shade, shelter, and sustinance for wildlife, and were similarly important to native cultures.
Rows of leaves all sharp as blade
Protect hearts of whom seek its shade
Bolder reach to breach the cloud
Those with no speech speak so loud
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