^{(Photograph = Yucca schidigera northwest of Las Vegas, NV)}

Introduction

Multiple Yucca species are found in the Desert Southwest. They are large shrubs or or medium-sized trees and are often prominent components of various ecosystems.

The Details

Y. schidigera is indicative of the Mojave Desert in the US, but it also extends into portions of Mexico. Often there is only 1 trunk, but a large plant may have several. Plants are slow growing; they may increase in height by 1/2 inch per year and live for hundreds of years. The leaves are long and stiff, sometimes over 3-ft long, and dagger like. While not serrated, the leaves have coarse fibers along their margins. In many situations the leaves are yellowish-green or light green.

The plant is common in the greater Las Vegas area from 1000 ft to about 5000 ft. Thus, is occupies some of the most arid areas of the Mojave desert. It is also common in southern NV and southeastern CA and in adjacent UT and AZ. At upper elevations, Y. schidigera encounters Y. brevifolia (Joshua tree) and Y. baccata.

The seeds are numerous in season and enjoyed by wildlife, and the spring flowers are eaten by insects and birds. The plants were used to make fibers by Native Americans. In many localities, the plants are the tallest plant species.

Related Reading: The Phylogeny of Yuccas