Some may be surprised to learn that the iconic Joshua trees of America’s Mojave desert are not actually trees at all, but succulents, part of the yucca family. ​​

Their dominance of the desert landscape won them naming status for California’s Joshua Tree National Park. 

But that dominance is increasingly in question, under threat on multiple fronts ​and prompting California to consider special protections for the species.  

CGTN’s Ediz Tiyansan reports.

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