I was out in Joshua Tree Monument (back when it was a monument), and I found a rattlesnake going along. So I was following this snake, hoping it would stop - or at least slow down - long enough to take a picture of. The silly snake was in a hurry to get somewhere, apparently. I never did get a picture of it. However, the snake was kind enough to lead me under a certain bush, where I found these Desert Xmas Trees in full bloom. Splendid! Other common names are 'Scaly-stemmed Sand Plant' and 'Dune Food'. Pholisma arenarium Nutt. ex Hook (Lennoa family) is a parasitic perennial herb, thus, there are no green leaves.