Yucca brevifolia
Western joshua tree
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Family: Agavaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Yucca brevifolia (Western joshua tree) is a native California shrub / tree in the Agavaceae family, recognized by distinctive tree form and spherical flowers.
Western joshua tree is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada eastern slopes, Tehachapi, eastern Sierra Nevada, and Mojave Desert in desert flats and slopes at elevations of 400 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces cream-colored flowers in large spheric clusters that partially open, with parts curved inward. Growing 6 to 9 meters tall with an erect trunk that branches 1 to 3 meters above the base, it forms distinctive rosettes at branch tips. Its dark green leaves are 15 to 35 centimeters long, with a white expanded base 3 to 6 centimeters wide and minute yellow-serrate margins. The plant produces large ovoid capsules 5 to 10 centimeters long that spread or stand erect as they mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinctive tree form and spherical flowers are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert flats, slopes
Elevation: 400-2300 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Mono
Outside California: to southern Nevada
Bloom period
Yucca brevifolia blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperoyucca: Yucca has thin flower stalks (<1 inch) with upward bracts; Hesperoyucca has thick stalks (>1 inch) with backward bracts.; vs Agave: Yucca has white flowers with superior ovary; Agave has yellow-green flowers with inferior ovary.; vs Nolina: Yucca has large bell-shaped flowers; Nolina has tiny flowers in spreading feathery masses.; vs Cordyline: Yucca has stiff fibrous leaves with fine marginal threads; Cordyline has flexible strap-like leaves without threads.; vs Dracaena: Yucca has rigid spine-tipped leaves in rosettes; Dracaena has flexible arching leaves in clusters along stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yucca brevifolia native to California?
Yes. Yucca brevifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Yucca brevifolia bloom?
Yucca brevifolia blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Yucca brevifolia grow?
Yucca brevifolia occurs in San Bernardino, Inyo, Los Angeles, Kern, Riverside, Mono, at elevations of 400-2300 m.
What plant family does Yucca brevifolia belong to?
Yucca brevifolia is in the Agavaceae family, genus Yucca.
What habitat does Yucca brevifolia grow in?
Yucca brevifolia grows in Desert flats, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.