Wildlife, Animals, and Plants
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Introductory
SPECIES: Yucca brevifolia | Joshua Tree
ABBREVIATION :
YUCBRE
SYNONYMS :
Yucca brevifolia var. wolfei Jones
Yucca draconis var. arborescens Torr.
Yucca arborescens (Torr.) Trel.
SCS PLANT CODE :
YUBR
COMMON NAMES :
Joshua tree
Joshua-tree yucca
tree yucca
yucca-palm
TAXONOMY :
The currently accepted scientific name for Joshua tree is Yucca
brevifolia Engelm. The Yucca genus is both variable and unstable [44].
Natural hybridization is common, and numerous intermediate forms occur
[43]. This genus has received only limited attention [10], and many
taxonomic questions persist. Currently recognized varieties of Joshua
tree are as follows [28]:
Yucca brevifolia var. brevifolia
Yucca brevifolia var. jaegeriana McKelvey
Yucca brevifolia var. herbertii (J. M. Weber) Munz
Webber [43] first delineated the form herbertii on the basis of
morphological differences. Munz [28] found these differences to be
significant enough to distinguish this entity as a variety, var.
herbertii (J. M. Webber) Munz. Today, however, several researchers
question all of the varieties named by McKelvey [26], Munz [28], Webber
[43], and others. Cronquist and others [10] found little evidence to
delineate any varieties. This controversy points out the need for
additional research on this complex but fascinating group.
LIFE FORM :
Tree
FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS :
No special status
OTHER STATUS :
NO-ENTRY
COMPILED BY AND DATE :
D. Tirmenstein, March 1989.
LAST REVISED BY AND DATE :
NO-ENTRY
AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION :
Tirmenstein, D. 1989. Yucca brevifolia. In: Remainder of Citation
Related categories for Species: Yucca brevifolia
| Joshua Tree
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