Flowers of this Yucca develop as tight clusters of greenish-white buds at the ends of the branches, but do not open wide as do the flowers of other Yuccas. Joshua-trees do not bloom every year, the interval apparently being determined by rainfall and temperature. Birds, a small lizard, wood rats, and several species of insects are closely associated with the Joshua-tree, making use of it for food, shelter, or nest-building materials. Indians use the smallest roots, which are red, for patterns in their baskets.
The name “Joshua-tree” was given by the Mormons because the tree seemed to be lifting its arms in supplication as did the Biblical Joshua.
[Illustration: Yucca torreyi Yucca schidigera Yucca arizonica]
Common Names: BROAD-LEAF YUCCAS, SPANISH BAYONET, (_AMOLE_), (_DATIL_), SOAPWEED Arizona desert. (_Yucca arizonica_). Creamy. April-May. California desert. (_Yucca schidigera_). White-purple. March-April. Texas desert. (_Yucca torreyi_). Creamy. March-April. Lily family. Size: Reaches height of 10 to 15 feet.
Although, in general, the Broad-leafed Yuccas do not reach tree size, the Giant Dagger (_Yucca carnerosana_) of Big Bend National Park reaches a height of 20 feet. In dense stands or “forests” these Yuccas, with their huge clusters of creamy, wax-like, lightly scented, bell-shaped flowers produce a never-to-be-forgotten display in blooming season.
The Yucca is the state flower of New Mexico.
Yuccas are often confused by newcomers to the desert with three other groups of plants: the _Agaves_ (Century Plant), _Dasylirion_ (Sotol) and _Nolinas_ (Beargrass).
The plate on the opposite page has been devoted to a comparison of the four groups, and by studying it carefully, the characteristics by which each may be identified can be determined.
Yucca leaf fibers have long been used by Indians for fabricating rope, matting, sandals, basketry, and coarse cloth. Indians also ate the buds, flowers, and emerging flower stalks. The large, pulpy fruits were eaten raw or roasted, and the seeds ground into meal.
Roots of the Yuccas have saponifying properties and are still gathered by some tribes and used as soap, especially for washing the hair. Flowers are browsed by livestock. (See Narrow-leaf Yuccas and Joshua-tree). _Yucca baccata_, a broad-leaf species found in the Southwest outside of the desert areas, is discussed in “Flowers of the Southwest Mesas.”