Cryptic CAM photosynthesis in Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia, Y. jaegeriana)

Joshua trees are an iconic species of the Mojave Desert, but face threats from changes to the climate and land use. Here we uncover cryptic Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM photosynthesis) in Joshua trees via a common garden, and use genomic data to understand other metabolic differences between populations and the two species of Joshua tree. Our Dryad data package includes RNA sequencing data from a common garden experiment on Joshua tree species (Yucca brevifolia and Yucca jaegeriana). Samples were taken in 2022 from just a single garden and were combined with ecophysiological measurements and metabolomics. Our results indicate low level CAM activity in all populations of Joshua tree, as well as strong differentiation in aspects of carbon metabolism between the two species.