Desert Magazine from June 1944 PDF Document - Surrey ...

Above, left to right. 1—In the earliest stage the Joshua bud
resembles a large artichoke. The fleshy bracts, or modified
leaves partially enclosing the flowers, are tinged with a soft rose
coloring on the outside, while underneath they are tinted with a
pale lemon yellow. Their texture is like soft chamois or suede.
2—As the buds develop and swell the bracts are pressed backward.
At this period of growth the bracts reach their greatest
beauty. Deep ashes-of-roses tinges the outer wall, which cups
within the waxen creamy bundles of marvelously interlocked
flowers. 3—The great "artichoke" is bursting with the crowding
lilies within. Looking at it from the tip, the robust blossoms
appear to be pressing forth vigorously against their soft protecting
walls.
Below, left to right. 4—At last the bracts straighten out horizontally
into an attractive star design, while the partially opened
lilies continue to clamber for a place in the sun. 5—Compressed
into a dense ovoid mass the maturing flowers never find room to
become full-blown, as do most other yuccas. The thick waxen
petals are brittle and will break off if forced to open more fully.
A heavy fragrance fills the air near the blossoms and attracts
within the little pronuba moth which effects fertilization by depositing
her eggs in the developing capsules. 6—Under each
bract a pedicel, or flower stem, develops on which may be from
one to nine flowers. From the center of each blossom the long
pistil extends beyond the petals, disclosing the opening at the
top through which the pollen is forced by the pronuba moth.
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