Virginia Tech Dendrology

Joshua tree Agavaceae Yucca brevifolia Engelm. symbol: YUBR
Leaf: Evergreen, stiff and dagger-like, numerous at the ends of branches, 6 to 12 inches long, sharp pointed tip, edges fine toothed, blue green.
Flower: Bell-shaped, 1 1/2 inch long, creamy yellow-green, occur at the ends of branches in upright 1 to 1 1/2 foot long clusters, appearing in spring.
Fruit: Light brown to reddish capsule, 2 1/2 to 5 inches long, 2 inches in diameter, 6 celled, initially fleshy, dries and falls soon after maturity in late spring.
Bark: Light brown, initially covered with brown dead leaves, later irregularly scaly ridged and furrowed.
Form: Picturesque, typically with a single, short trunk and many heavy, wide spreading limbs reaching up to 40 feet tall.
Looks like: Mojave yucca - soaptree yucca - banana yucca - Torrey's yucca

Additional Range Information: Yucca brevifolia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information