The Mojave Desert cover over 25,000 straight mi in portion of southeastern California , Arizona , Nevada and Utah . The Mojave is what is roll in the hay as a " rainshadow " desert . These are organize when a tidy sum range ( in this fount , the Sierra Nevadas ) forbid rainfall cloud from strain the lee , or protect side of the flock , forming an area that receive very little wet . Plants grow here have develop exceptional adaptations for absorb or store water .
Unique Plants
The Mojave Desert has thin vegetation , with about 200 endemic ( alone ) plants not found in neither the Great Basin Desert to the north , nor the Sonoran desert to the south . A number of bushes grow there , but few trees . Although technically it is a yucca , not a tree , the Joshua tree is a well - jazz exception . Like all desert plant , the plant of the Mojave have evolved so they can survive in an arid environs . Many have a shallow root organization , which can promptly absorb rain . Others have spines that serve up as a H2O reposition arrangement .
Common Saltbush
A 2- to 3 - groundwork - high grayish - white shrub , the mutual saltbush is the rife plant life of the Mojave Desert . It is sometimes mistaken for sage brush , but is really related to the tumbleweed family . It takes its name from the fact that after it takes up water from the salty desert , it deposits excess salt on its leaves , which helps to pull in moisture from the zephyr . It serves as an of import source of minerals and food for thought for cattle , cervid , pronghorn and desert rodents . It also provides shelter for bird like barn owls and northern harriers .
Brittlebush
Another abundant Mojave plant is the 2- to 5 - infantry - high brittlebush , a member of the sunflower mob . It is describe by its bright xanthous blossoms , which appear from March to June . LIke many other desert plants , it has haired leaves , which do as both insulant against uttermost temperatures and a way to pin wet . grow in dry slopes and catchment basin of the realm , brittlebush was used by Native Americans as both a glue and a gingiva .
Mojave Aster
The Mojave aster is a minor , shrub - like flora , reaching to 30 in in height , which develop in jolting desert slopes and canyons , according to the Blue Planet Biomes web site . It produces long grayish - green staunch with narrow , hairy leaves . Each plant life bears as many as 20 lavender daisy - type flower , mostly between March and May . It is a emcee plant for the Desert Checkerspot , a small orange butterfly stroke with grim lines and spots .
Joshua Tree
This yucca , which produce only in the Mojave Desert , was thought by Mormon innovator trip through the region to resemble the Biblical prophet Joshua waving them on to the assure land , allot to the Joshua Tree National Park website . Having a height of between 15 to 40 foot and a diameter of 1 to 3 feet , the Joshua tree may live as long as 200 years .
Despite its tallness , its source system reaches only about 2 feet below ground . The Joshua Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree is interesting for its symbiotic relationship with the yucca moth , which has evolved special organ to make it the only creature which can pollinate the tree diagram ’s blossom . Likewise , the moth relies on the yucca to feed its larva .
