Plains Yucca Yucca glauca

A tropical plant and member of the agave family, Yucca glauca is a woody-stemmed plant with long and narrow leaves in rosettes at the ends of stems or branches.  It is often purchased for its attractive foliage.  A flower stalk prominently appears at the end of the rosette. It is a native to the southwestern US and grows best in dry rocky soil.  Its natural habitat is dry rocky soils and often found in short grass prairies and desert grasslands.  Considered to be decumbent, which is a plant that has a portion laying on the ground with its extremity curving upward.  This variety of Yucca is among the most cold-hardy and landscape ready of the species.  

An important plant for wildlife, it provides food and nesting for small mammals, birds, and reptiles.  The flowers attract butterflies.  It is a host plant for the Yucca Moth.  This moth is the only insect that has success in pollinating the yucca flower and developing fruit and is the moths' only food source.  

Its roots are used to make soap. Crushed roots produce a lather that is great as a soap or shampoo.  The common name Small Soapweed stems from this trait.

Dried leaves from this plant can be used to weave baskets, mats, and sandals.  Rope is made from the extracted leaf fibers.

Propagation can be accomplished from seed that has been wintered.  Stem cuttings, rhizomes, and offsets are additional means of propagation. 

In addition to putting on a showy display, the leaves have many practical uses.  Dried foliage is woven into baskets, mats, and sandals. The leaves can be used to make paint brushes and brooms.  After splitting the leaves, they can be used as a tying material.  The needle-sharp points of the leaves have been used as needles.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The roots contain saponins, which is harmful to some animals.  In humans, they are not absorbed by the body and tend to pass through.  High heat, such as baking, will also destroy this compound.