DoomsdaysCWHelp needed to photograph and record #JoshuaTrees!
Joshua Trees bloomed earlier than usual – and it spells trouble for iconic succulent
By Chris Nesi
Published Jan. 25, 2026, 10:13 p.m. ET
"Southern California’s famed Joshua trees are flowering months ahead of schedule, baffling scientists and raising fears about the future of the species.
"The #MojaveDesert succulents typically bloom between February and April, timing their flowers to the arrival of the #YuccaMoth — the only insect capable of pollinating them.
"The moth lays its eggs inside the flowers, producing fruit whose seeds are later spread by rodents.
"This year, however, the trees’ familiar white-and-yellow blooms began appearing on late October, sparking concerns that the early flowering could disrupt the delicate relationship between the trees and their sole pollinator — and threaten the species’ ability to reproduce."
[...]
"Yoder suspects this year’s early rains may have triggered the premature bloom. His Yoder Lab is now asking members of the public to help document the phenomenon by uploading photos of Joshua trees in bloom to #iNaturalist, allowing scientists to gather data on whether the early flowering affects fruit production.
" 'We’re looking for as many folks out there as possible to help observe this phenomenon,' Yoder said.
Read more:
https://nypost.com/2026/01/25/us-news/early-bloom-of-joshua-trees-could-spell-trouble-ahead/
#EarlyBloom #ClimateChange #CitizenScientists #JoshuaTreeFlowers #Naturalists
Joshua trees bloomed earlier than usual – and it spells trouble for iconic succulent
The early bloom could threaten the yucca moth — Joshua trees’ only pollinator — whose evolution has synced with the predictably timely blossoming of their flowers.