Dean M. Chriss
Photography
Joshua Tree Sunset, Joshua Tree National Monument

Joshua Tree Sunset, Joshua Tree National Monument

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The Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia) is a plant species belonging to the genus Yucca. Being tree-like in appearance it has several other common names including Joshua tree, yucca palm, tree yucca, and palm tree yucca. The name Joshua tree was given by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. Joshua trees are native to the Southwestern United States with populations in western Arizona, southeastern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah. This range generally coincides with the Mojave Desert where it is considered one of the major indicator species. It occurs at altitudes between 1,300 and 5,900 feet (400 and 1,800 m).