Without the Joshua trees, the yucca moths wouldn’t have a host plant. And without the yucca moths, the Joshua trees wouldn’t be able to produce seeds.

The plant is facing both development pressures in growing desert towns (read about what’s happening in Joshua Tree), along with hotter, drier climates, increased wildfires and invasive plants.

This plant is also architecturally striking. When mature, it can grow to 20 feet in height (some sources say 30 feet), and has a unique shape somewhat recalling the Joshua tree (to which it is ...

By Maya L. Kapoor In early springtime in the Mojave Desert, Joshua trees provide one of the few foods available to many of the wildlife species in this part of the southwestern U.S. Stretching above ...

Don’t confuse the Joshua tree with the Mojave yucca, Yucca schidigera. This close relative can be distinguished by its longer, wider leaves and fibrous threads curling along leaf margins.

Development also poses a threat, according to environmentalists, because around 40% of the plants grow on private land. The Joshua trees could be razed to make way for homes and infrastructure.

In 2019, Joshua Tree National Park set a new attendance record, drawing nearly 3 million visitors to its dark skies, world class rock climbing, and wide valleys punctuated with the whimsical yuccas.

Joshua Tree National Park without Joshua trees? The fight is on to protect the beloved plant Oct. 31, 2022Updated Mon., Oct. 31, 2022 at 7:29 p.m.