Natural History Wanderings

Mojave National Preserve Reports on Feb 22, 2015:

Looking for desert flowers? Some of our Joshua Trees have started blooming! Well-timed winter rains and a crisp winter freeze can bring out clusters of white-green flowers on Joshua Trees.

These flowers attract Yucca Moths who pollinate the plants and lay their eggs inside of the flowers. When the seed pods emerge, the eggs hatch and the larvae feed on some of the Joshua Tree seeds, leaving plenty to grow into new Joshua Trees. This is a perfect example of a symbiotic relationship because everyone benefits.

via Desert Wildflower report Mojave National Preserve by DesertUSA.