Mojave Yucca
Yucca schidigera
Observed at Joshua Tree National Monument, California. 30 April 2010.
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SUCCULENT: Robust with usually unbranched stem 3 to
5 m tall.
ARMED: The strong leaves with sharp tips are rightly termed bayonets.
LEAVES: The leaves are stiff, oriented up when often yellow-green, then
remaining on plant and tipping down as they age and turn brown to shield the
trunk.
RANGE: More common in the Mojave Desert than the Sonoran. It may be
found occasionally in the boundary areas between the two desert regions.
Western Arizona, southern Nevada and California.
FLOWERS: The spikes of flowers are large and there are an abundance of
whitish flowers. Spectacular. Flowers in late spring.
FRUIT: The three-parted capsules hang downwards as they enlarge and
ripen.