The Joshua tree is an enduring presence in the Southwestern United States. The species is a Yucca plant and not technically considered a tree — but sometimes it depends on who you ask 🤔
🌱 A Different Shape
Mormon settlers came up with the Joshua tree name, comparing the twisting branches to arms raised towards heaven. The spiritual nature of the plant inspired the iconic 1987 U2 album of the same name.
🤨 Strange Behavior
Joshua trees grow around an inch or two a year, which sounds slow, but is actually fast for desert plant life. The root systems are aggressive, complicated, and have the ability to produce identical clones of the original plant 🤯 When in bloom, the Joshua tree produces a white flower that’s beautiful, but smells notoriously bad.
👀 Where To See One
California’s Joshua Tree National Park is the most famous place to see the species. Closer to home, you’ll see Joshua trees in Red Rock Canyon or near Mt. Charleston. Joshua trees are also a short drive away in Death Valley National Park and Arizona’s Joshua Tree Forest (between Vegas and the Western Grand Canyon).
