Joshua trees are actually real trees. They are similar to a palm tree and in the agave family. Joshua trees are a huge part of the Mojave desert ecosystem. They help give food and shelter to birds, lizards, and mammals that run through the desert. Joshua trees have a much deeper meaning to them, as they are named after the Biblical figure, Joshua, by the Mormon settlers traveling through the land. They passed down the stories that they felt the Joshua Trees helped guide them through the intense desert and showed them resilience and survival.