The MAGICAL Mojave Desert Plants of Southern Utah | Joshua Tree National Conservation Area

• Today we explore the magical Mojave Desert flora in Utahs Joshua Tree National Conservation Area. It is January 14th, but it’s pretty hard to tell by looking at all the blooming flowers, and evergreen plants everywhere. This area is the most biodiverse region in all of the state of Utah both animal, and plant wise. It also holds the record for the lowest point in the state (~ 1,900 feet elevation), and warmest place in the state (zone 9b). Which means this valley never gets below 25°F - 30°F, and most years stays above freezing entirely. This area is the same exact growing zone as Phoenix, Arizona and most of Los Angeles. This valley is regularly 5 - 10 °F warmer than the city of St. George itself (zone 8b/9a), which is about 30 minutes east of the JTNCA. This is my absolute favorite area in my state, and I hope you enjoy the remote, but diverse beauty that this area of the Southwest has to offer. Thanks for watching, appreciate ya!

[Rad Animals In The Area] : Gila Monsters, Desert Iguanas, Utah Banded Geckos, Chuckwallas, Zebra Tailed Lizards, Desert Night Lizards, Mojave Desert Tortoises, 8 species of Rattle Snakes, Coachwhip Snakes, Mojave Desert Sidewinders, Western Blind Snakes, Pacific Tree Frogs, many species of Scorpions (including the most venomous in the Americas), 3 species of Tarantulas, Tarantula Hawk Wasps, Giant Desert Centipedes, Camel Spiders (Solifugae), California Condors, Road Runners, multiple species of Hummingbirds year round, Pumas, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Ringtails & many more incredible desert creatures!

[Rad Plants in the Area Not Shown] : Acacia greggii (Catclaw Acacia), Phoradendron californicum (Acacia Mistletoe), Prosopis glandulosa (Honey Mesquite), Prosopis pubescens (Screwbean Mesquite), Prosopis juliflora (Evergreen Mesquite), Parkinsonia aculeata (Mexican Palo Verde), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba Bush), Mortonia utahensis (Utah Mortonia), Prunus fasciculata (Desert Almond), Chilopsis linearis (Desert Willow), Agave utahensis (Utah Agave), Yucca schidigera (Mojave Yucca), Yucca elata (Soaptree Yucca), Dudleya arizonica ( Arizona Chalk Dudleya), Echinocactus polycephalus (Many Headed Barrel Cactus), Opuntia chlorotica (Pancake Prickly Pear), & much more!