There's a large array of plants that grow in the
park. Here's a bunch of pictures that I took.
Click on the picture to see the full
size image.
The "tree" in the first picture isn't a joshua tree. It's called a Mohave
Yucca.
Joshua trees actually grow in the middle section of the park, and this was one
location that had a few of them. Jian stood up next to one to give you an idea
of how large they are. Many can live for over 200 years.
One of the flash flood wash areas had a trail with some markers describing each
plant and what the indians used them for.
This is jojoba, which was used for food and as part of a coffee-like drink. It's
grown commerically for health and beauty products.
This
is California Juniper. It was used as a medicine for colds and the bark was used
as diapers.
This is mistletoe, which is a parasitic plant. The berries were used as a dessert.
Most types of mistletoe are poisonous, however.
This is beavertail cactus, which was used for food and medicine.
This is mesquite, which is a wood found in the desert. It's a member of the pea
family, was a primary food source. It was used for making bows, throwing sticks
and support beams. The pea pods were grounded up in cakes and eaten straight.
This is called Mormon Tea, which was used in the form of a medicinal tea. It was
considered to be good for stomach and kidney problems.
This is Cat's-Claw, also a member of the pea family. The pea pods were eaten,
but was considered to be a poor substitute for mesquite.
This is creosote bush, which is found all over the desert. It was a general cure-all
for medicine, and used most often for colds, cramps and nausea. Tests have shown
that the leaves contain a high amount of vitamin A, and chemicals that destroy
cancer cells. You can buy creosote tea in health food stores.
