The Rings

wfeller

The Mojave yucca, (yucca schidigera) can sprout from seeds when fertilized by the yucca moth, or can clone itself by rhizome extension producing perfect copies of its DNA within the sprouts. The rings created by this method of reproduction keep the plant alive for periods of up to 2,400 years, as estimated in this ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern).


This is actually considered one plant instead of the many it appears to be.

DonRicklin

Intersting image. A grove of Aspens can simiarly be considered 'one tree'.

Don

wfeller

DonRicklin wrote:

Intersting image. A grove of Aspens can simiarly be considered 'one tree'.

Don

That's interesting. I had heard of Pando, but I didn't realize it was an aspen. Pando far surpassed the 'King Clone', creosote bush here in the Mojave, which was estimated to be 12,000 years old. It seems the root system for the South American tree is 80,000 years old and also the record for the world's heaviest living organism.

I'm noticing the Wikpedia (meh) article; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pando_(tree), mentions the possibility of of root systems of quaking aspen in Utah may be up to one million years old, and have root systems of possibly 50 hectares in area. I'm not a big fan of Wikipedia, but if aspen in the Utah region are possibly that old and large, if they exist in the ecotone between the Mojave Desert/Colorado Plateau/Grand Staircase/Great Basin, then I'm off to Utah again (w00t!) to snap some pictures. Thanks!

jeffmeyers

Looks like a gathering of the dessert Ents!

NomadRip

I never thought I'd miss those after moving out of CA. Natives use them for a lot of things. The underground aspect of some plants is incredible...but look into how big mushroom colonies can be

Tango

wild stuff!
hey is that a golf ball i see?

anyway, whats you utah agenda?
colors have started:D

wfeller

Thanks Jeff, James and Aaron.

James, I believe you're right about the uses for the Mojave yucca. The fibers are exceptionally strong and made great ropes and sandals. From what I've read about Native cultures, they let nothing on the plant go to waste. I've ate the blossoms. Out of the 4-5 types of yucca blossoms I've tried, they were the least preferred. I've yet to try the fruit.

OTHER USES AND VALUES : Native Americans of the Southwest traditionally used Mojave yucca for numerous purposes. Fruits were eaten raw or dried for later use. Leaves, which contain high levels of saponin, a detergentlike substance, were pulped to produce soap. Fibers obtained from the leaves were made into rope, twine, hats, hair brushes, shoes, mattresses, and saddle blankets.

http://mojavedesert.net/plants/shrubs/yucca-schidigera.html

Aaron,

Might be a couple golfballs in there- or eggs.

Anyway, looks like not until spring, but more likely next fall. Economics not good at the moment. Waiting to be bought out.