BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Yucca Brevifolia (Joshua Tree)
REGENERATION PROCESSES :
Seed and seed dispersal: Seeds are contained in dry, spongy, indehiscent baccate fruits which average 3 inches (69 mm) in length. Fruit first develops near the base of the inflorescence while the upper part is still in flower, and averages 25 to 40 per cluster. Annual fruit production varies greatly under natural conditions. Generally, fruit is produced only in wetter years. On extremely harsh sites the Joshua tree flowers rarely, if at all. Seeds are dispersed chiefly by wind and animals. Birds frequently open the fruit, exposing seeds for subsequent wind dispersal. A number of desert rodents are known to cache Joshua tree seeds and may also disperse seed. Fruit can persist on the tree, but usually disintegrates rapidly.
Joshua tree seed pods
GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS
REGENERATION PROCESSES
SITE CHARACTERISTICS
SUCCESSIONAL STATUS
SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT
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