Joshua Tree Photos and Art

It is Saturday, and time for another botanical art appreciation post. In the spotlight is the ever intriguing Joshua tree. It is hard to say what is more captivating; the quirky 'outstretched arms' of the Joshua tree, or the severe yet beautiful Mohave desert surroundings. You be the judge.

Joshua Tree in Joshua Tree by Mobius Images

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19161361

Joshua Trees in The Desert Original Oil Painting by Irene Livermore Gallery

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21361296

The Path... - 8x8... Fine Art Print by KimberlyRose Photography http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17329809

Joshua Tree (number 2) 10x8 by An Englishman in Palm Springs http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14975674

Hello Joshua - ACEO - Limited Print by Red Horse Studios http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21361531

Tell Me Your Favorite

I would like to hear from you today. What is your favorite plant, and why? You can list more than one if there is a tie. Also tell me what part of the country you are from . Leave your feedback in the comments section below this post. (no need to be technical or use scientific names, unless you want to)

I'll go first:

Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera. Trees are my specialty, and there is so much I love about this tree. It is tall, provides shade, has bare winter branches,beautiful (but not overstated) yellowish green flowers, and has the most gorgeous tulip shaped leaves. To top it off, it is a U.S.A. native! I am from Oregon, but currently living in South Carolina.Your turn!

Desert Plant I.D.

Provided Information:

1. Photos:

2. Date: January
3. Location: Kingman, Arizona
4. Plant type: Evergreen shrub or tree, desert plant
5. Environment: Commercial landscape
6. Exposure: Full sun
7. Scent: none
8. Other: Also seen growing in the open landscape of the surrounding desert

Identification:

1. Name: Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree, tree yucca, yucca palm)
2. Family: Liliaceae (formerly part of the Agavaceae family)
3. Origin: Mojave Desert, Southwestern United States
4. Random facts: The Joshua tree has a form of symbiotic relationship with the pronuba moth. This moth is the only successful pollinator for the Joshua tree, and even has specialized apparatus to accomplish the task. In return, the moth gains specific benefit from the Joshua tree by laying eggs within the ovaries of the yucca flowers, allowing their young to feed on some of the resulting seeds. The Joshua tree got its name in the early 1800s from Mormons who thought the branches of the tree resembled Joshua, from the Bible, with his arms outstretched to the heavens and leading the way to the promised land.

Palm Tree I.D.

Provided Information:

1. Photos:
2. Date: February
3. Location: Goose Creek, South Carolina
4. Plant type: Evergreen tree
5. Environment: Street scape
6. Exposure: Full sun
7. Scent: None
8. Other: Very long, curved fronds, pinnate leaf pattern

Identification:

1. Name: Butia capitata (pindo palm, jelly palm)
2. Family: Arecacea (Palmae)
3. Origin: South America
4. Random facts: This palm develops orange fruit (called pindo dates in the South) that is edible and can be used to make jelly. Though it is not a North American native, it is one of the only palms that flourishes on both U.S.A. coasts.

Monday Plant Feature

Featured Plant: Name: Ulmas glabra 'Camperdownii' (Camperdown elm)

1. Family: Ulmaceae
2. Plant type: deciduous tree
3. Exposure: full sun or filtered shade
4. Branching pattern: alternate
5. Habit: weeping, grafted on a tree standard. It typically grows to 15-25 ft, but can grow taller and usually much wider.
6. Foliage: coarse texture, prominent veins, pubescent (fine hairs) beneath, double serrated, dark green in summer, yellow fall color, asymmetrical leaf base at point of attachment to petiole
7. Flowers: somewhat insignificant on this plant
8. Fruit: single seed semaras, flat and green, typically there is little or no fruit set
9. Similar species: Ulmus glabra 'Pendula'
10. Other: Discovered in Dundee, Scotland in the 1800s and named for the Camperdown House at which it was found. It was originally a rambling shrub with no main stem.

Just For Fun

As a plant enthusiast I always enjoy a great botanical reproduction in just about any form. There are a number of independent artists out there that seem to share the same sentiment. As a follow up to yesterday's post, I have selected a few Etsy items that showcase the beautiful white flower of the Southern magnolia. Enjoy!

Sparrow and Magnolia, acrylic painting by Sherry's Nature Paintings

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_6&listing_id=20965119&ga_search_query=magnolia&ga_search_type=tag_title

MISS Magnolia 1 on Canvas by L. Young Studio

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_1&listing_id=20448951&ga_search_query=magnolia&ga_search_type=tag_title

Southern Magnolia by Tricia Kay Photography http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_10&listing_id=13065061&ga_search_query=magnolia+white&ga_search_type=tag_title

Sweet Magnolia Blossom on White - Fused Glass Pendant, Pin, Magnet, or Keychain by Lawatha's Glass and More http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_12&listing_id=18707205&ga_search_query=magnolia+white&ga_search_type=tag_title

Magnolia 2 by Christian Bradford http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_15&listing_id=10203885&ga_search_query=botanical+magnolia&ga_search_type=tag_title

Broadleaf Evergreen Tree I.D.

Provided Information:

1. Photos:
2. Date: December
3. Location: Corvallis, Oregon
4. Plant type: evergreen tree
5. Environment: commercial landscape
6. Exposure: full sun
7. Scent: none
8. Other: very large, thick glossy leaves. White summer flowers

Identification:

1. Name: Magnolia grandiflora (Southern magnolia, sweet magnolia, bull bay)
2. Family: Magnoliaceae
3. Origin: Coastal regions of Southeastern U.S.A.
4. Random Facts: It is the state tree and flower of Mississippi, as well as the state flower of Louisiana.