By Liliana Usvat
Blog187-365
The Joshua tree species, one of the longest-living plants on earth.
Approaching Grand Canyon West Arizona USA, travelers pass through a Joshua Tree forest, along Pierce Ferry Rd in Mojave Desert.
Name
The tree was first named by Mormon pioneers in the nineteenth century, who thought that the upturned branches resembled the arms of the prophet Joshua, pointing the way to the promised land.
Other names: Spanish bayonet, Mojave yucca, Banana yucca
Description
The Joshua tree is actually a species of yucca (Yucca Brevifolia), that can reach a height of 50 feet and is believed to live for up to 1,000 years although they are difficult to date accurately - as they are not proper trees, there are no annual growth rings.
A large cluster of white or greenish flowers can appear at the end of each stem from March to May, but this requires just the right combination of springtime temperature and moisture, and several years may pass without a major blooming. Plants start to form the familiar branched appearance when they are 6 to 10 feet tall and several decades old, with new stems forming only after a flowering.
Joshua trees occur in patches across several Southwest states, wherever conditions of temperature, drainage and rainfall are suitable.
This tree has a top-heavy branch system, but also has what has been described as a "deep and extensive" root system, with roots possibly reaching up to 11 m (36 ft) away.
Forestation in Desert
Joshua trees are fast growers for the desert; new seedlings may grow at an average rate of 7.6 cm (3.0 in) per year in their first ten years, then only grow about 3.8 cm (1.5 in) per year thereafter.
New plants can grow from seed, but in some populations, new stems grow from underground rhizomes that spread out around the Joshua tree.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°C.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters.
Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient.
Medicinal Uses
Native Americans and Mexicans also used yucca sap medicinally to treat arthritis, joint pain and inflammation. They used sap from the leaves in poultices or baths to treat skin lesions, sprains and bleeding.
Thus, constituents of the yucca are used today to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
We know now that this soapy substance from the pithy insides of the yucca leaves and roots is because of their high saponin content. According to researcher Ken Wells (findarticles.com), saponins are the precursor to cortisone, which prevent the release of toxins from the intestines which restrict cartilage formation.
Saponins have anti-tumor properties
Other Uses
The roots of some types of yucca contain a natural detergent and were found to be effective for washing and shampooing.
Interestingly, yucca extracts are used in beverages such as root beer and slurpies to provide the foamy ‘head.’
They are also used industrially in mining and ore separation, in preparation of emulsions for photographic films and extensively in cosmetics, such as lipstick and shampoo.
The antifungal and antibacterial properties of saponins are important in cosmetic applications, in addition to their emollient effects. Yucca extracts are also used for ammonia and odor control in pig and poultry-raising facilities and in dog and cat foods (Pauling Institute).
Flowers - cooked. The flower buds, before opening, can be parboiled in salt water to remove the bitterness, drained and then cooked again and served like cauliflower. The opened flowers are rich in sugar and can be roasted and eaten as candy.
Fruit - cooked. The fruits can be roasted then formed into cakes and dried for later use. Root - raw, boiled or roasted.
Seed. Gathered and eaten by the local Indians
Blog187-365
The Joshua tree species, one of the longest-living plants on earth.
Approaching Grand Canyon West Arizona USA, travelers pass through a Joshua Tree forest, along Pierce Ferry Rd in Mojave Desert.
Name
The tree was first named by Mormon pioneers in the nineteenth century, who thought that the upturned branches resembled the arms of the prophet Joshua, pointing the way to the promised land.
Other names: Spanish bayonet, Mojave yucca, Banana yucca
Description
The Joshua tree is actually a species of yucca (Yucca Brevifolia), that can reach a height of 50 feet and is believed to live for up to 1,000 years although they are difficult to date accurately - as they are not proper trees, there are no annual growth rings.
A large cluster of white or greenish flowers can appear at the end of each stem from March to May, but this requires just the right combination of springtime temperature and moisture, and several years may pass without a major blooming. Plants start to form the familiar branched appearance when they are 6 to 10 feet tall and several decades old, with new stems forming only after a flowering.
Joshua trees occur in patches across several Southwest states, wherever conditions of temperature, drainage and rainfall are suitable.
This tree has a top-heavy branch system, but also has what has been described as a "deep and extensive" root system, with roots possibly reaching up to 11 m (36 ft) away.
Forestation in Desert
Joshua trees are fast growers for the desert; new seedlings may grow at an average rate of 7.6 cm (3.0 in) per year in their first ten years, then only grow about 3.8 cm (1.5 in) per year thereafter.
New plants can grow from seed, but in some populations, new stems grow from underground rhizomes that spread out around the Joshua tree.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°C.
Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters.
Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient.
Medicinal Uses
Native Americans and Mexicans also used yucca sap medicinally to treat arthritis, joint pain and inflammation. They used sap from the leaves in poultices or baths to treat skin lesions, sprains and bleeding.
Thus, constituents of the yucca are used today to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
We know now that this soapy substance from the pithy insides of the yucca leaves and roots is because of their high saponin content. According to researcher Ken Wells (findarticles.com), saponins are the precursor to cortisone, which prevent the release of toxins from the intestines which restrict cartilage formation.
Saponins have anti-tumor properties
Other Uses
The roots of some types of yucca contain a natural detergent and were found to be effective for washing and shampooing.
Interestingly, yucca extracts are used in beverages such as root beer and slurpies to provide the foamy ‘head.’
They are also used industrially in mining and ore separation, in preparation of emulsions for photographic films and extensively in cosmetics, such as lipstick and shampoo.
The antifungal and antibacterial properties of saponins are important in cosmetic applications, in addition to their emollient effects. Yucca extracts are also used for ammonia and odor control in pig and poultry-raising facilities and in dog and cat foods (Pauling Institute).
Edible parts of Joshua Tree
Flowers - cooked. The flower buds, before opening, can be parboiled in salt water to remove the bitterness, drained and then cooked again and served like cauliflower. The opened flowers are rich in sugar and can be roasted and eaten as candy.
Fruit - cooked. The fruits can be roasted then formed into cakes and dried for later use. Root - raw, boiled or roasted.
Seed. Gathered and eaten by the local Indians
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