Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Joshua tree

Family: Asparagaceae subfam. Agavoideae

Distribution: Southwestern U.S.

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Comments: The name Joshua tree was given by a group of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave Desert in the mid-19th century. The tree's unique shape reminded them of a Biblical story in which Joshua reaches his hands up to the sky in prayer.