Shrubs, Trees, and Fall Flora of the Mojave Desert

Learn about the shrubs, trees, and explore the diversity and understated beauty of fall flora in the Mojave Desert! 

This is a moderate activity - less than 5 miles of walking, multiple hours outdoors in the elements. 

Melanie Davis lives in Joshua Tree and is a research field ecologist and botanist at UC Riverside's Center for Conservation Biology in Palm Desert. She has been working in the California deserts since 2017, and her field research takes her to remote corners of the Colorado, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts to study the effects of climate change and human disturbance on desert ecosystems and the distribution of rare native plants.

This is a Desert Ecology & Conservation Certificate class worth 1 unit.

This class is designed for all levels, from entry-level plant enthusiasts and amateur botanists to professionals looking to brush up on our perennial and fall desert flora. Students will become familiar with the common shrubs, trees, and fall-flowering annual plants of the Mojave Desert within the Joshua tree and pinyon-juniper woodlands of Joshua Tree National Park. This class will use field guides, botanical keys, and other tools for plant identification to teach students how to identify plants independently. During our field excursion, we will review the common and scientific names of species found along the way. We will practice recognizing and identifying characteristics found in common desert plant families. This course involves easy-to-moderate hiking over uneven terrain.

Participants need to bring all the required items for the course: water (about 2 liters per person); food and snacks that can be easily packed and eaten in the field; close-toed athletic shoes or hiking boots — no sandals; sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, layers for cool weather; a daypack to carry food, water, and any other personal items; a notebook and pencil are great; and if you have a field guide you like using, please bring it!

Any other pertinent information: The instructor will provide checklists and teaching material, DI will provide clipboards and loupes, and the class will meet in the Black Rock Education Room for introductions and a plant family overview. 

Desert Institute offers some classes for credit through UC Riverside Extension. If you complete 12 units of our 400-level classes, you will earn a Desert Ecology & Conservation Certificate! If you take this class, you will earn 1 unit towards a Desert Ecology & Conservation Certificate. Learn more on our website: https://joshuatree.org/desert-...

Photo credit: Tatjana Kudla, Desert Institute Volunteer