New Mexico designated the blossom of the desert yucca plant (pronounced “yuh-ka”) as the state flower in 1927. The yucca flower was selected by the schoolchildren of New Mexico and was recommended by the New Mexico Federation of Women's Clubs. The legislation does not specify a particular species of yucca (yucca consists of 40-50 species of perennials, shrubs, and trees native to the hot and dry parts of North America, Central America, and the West Indies).

Seeing these lovely flowers in abundance on the plains and deserts of New Mexico, early settlers called them “our Lord’s candles.” The roots of yucca glauca (or soapweed yucca) were also found to be an excellent substitute for soap and shampoo, as was yucca elata (commonly called "soaptree yucca").

Blooming yucca elata (soaptree yucca) -
photo by Stan Shebs / Wikipedia.org

Yucca plant photo by Gary M. Stolz / U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service