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Even though the roots of the Yucca angustissima contain toxins, other parts such as the flowers and stem are edible. The flowers can be eaten raw or cooked while the flowering stem can be peeled and cooked.
Medical uses for this plant however are still unknown.
These plants are mostly found in south-western N. America around the four corners (Arizona, New Mexico and Utah). They particular grown in these regions do to there high elevations and sandy deserts.
The flowering season of the Yucca plant is very short lived and only flowers during the months of June to July. They are often times characterized by there bright pink flowers.
Most Yucca flowers are very thick and waxy. Due to there unique structure, these plants are difficult to pollinate so pollination is done by forcing pollen into the stigma. This is done by a special moth known as the Pronuba Moth. At night it flies to a Yucca plant and drills a hole in the ovary of the lower there it lays its eggs and proceeds in pollination.
However, due to its hermaphrodite characteristics they are often pollinated by hand.
The Yucca plant is a very drought resistant species that is also tolerant of damp weather. These plants are mostly found in the south western portion of Utah. In its native environment, its flowers can only be pollinated by a certain moth species. However, hand pollination can also be done if fruit and seed are required.
These plants prefer sandy, heavy clay like soils and can also grow in nutritionally poor soils. You will find these plants in elevations of 900 to 2200 meters.