The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
Joshua tree
NOUN:
A treelike plant (Yucca brevifolia) of the southwest United States, having sword-shaped leaves and greenish-white flowers grouped in large panicles.
ETYMOLOGY:
Probably after Joshua1, from the resemblance of the tree's greatly extended branches to Joshua's outstretched arm as he pointed with his spear to the city of Ai (Joshua 8:18).
