Nolina Land

I'm no botanist, but I do know a Nolina when I see one. There are multiple species of Nolina, but the dominant one in Joshua Tree National Park is Nolina bigelovii. Especially when flowering, few plants can match the large showy flower stalks and the way they capture the late afternoon light. To my eye, Nolina kind of resemble a Mojave Yucca (see below).

Both the Yucca (above) and Nolina (below) have long leaves that end in a point. But Nolina leaves are longer, more slender, and more flexible. I learned long ago during my desert hikes that there is a key difference: If you accidentally walk into Yucca leaves, the stiff strong leaves have the potential to result in a serious injury. Blood will be spilled. Not so much with Nolina, since the leaves will flex. Not the recommended way to determine one from the other!

While the Yucca have white flowers, they don't have the huge spikes that protrude upward like the Nolina. The Nolina flower spikes can easily reach 4' or longer. Very impressive!

On my most recent hike (last week), I was in search of a pictograph site. I actually had approximate coordinates for the pictos, so I was confident I would find them. 5.8 miles later, with an elevation gain of 938 feet, I was unsuccessful. I double-checked. I even triple checked all around the rocks, behind the rocks, under the rocks. Nada. Ziltch. Doesn't mean they're not there. Just means I couldn't find them. But there's no such thing as a bad hike in Joshua Tree, so that's why you're seeing photos of Nolina today and not Native American rock art.

Part of my hiking track from my GPS device. The path of a totally lost person wandering without purpose and with a touch of heat stroke? Perhaps, but see that big blob of tracks in the middle? That's where the pictos are supposed to be!

This Nolina flower stalk had drooped down and was blocking the trail. I nick-named him the "toll gate" Nolina!

This Indian Paintbrush certainly draws attention. The red flowers really jumped out!

Beavertail cactus

The flower spikes on this Nolina had a pink or purplish tint. Kind of odd.

The real story of the Nolina flower spikes is how they catch the light when the sun is low on the horizon.

Beautiful, wouldn't you agree? I was lost in thought as I was wondering and taking photos. You can imagine my surprise when I noticed someone standing a ways off on the faint trail I had been following. He was a fellow photographer, and the only person I had seen during my entire hike. We commented on the beauty of the Nolina flowers and then went our separate ways. A couple days later I noticed a photo on Facebook of Nolina flowers that looked like it was taken in the same area as my hike. Turns out the photo was taken by the same person I saw on the trail! Also turns out that, although we have (had) never met, we are friends on Facebook and I admire his photography! Lastly, it turns out he took a picture of me out wandering with the Nolina. It's a small world after all!!

Photo by Mike Stillman. Thanks, Mike, and nice to meet you!

Linking with Skywatch Friday.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay safe out there!!