A reputation for growth in arid, dry, or inhospitable habitats may be perfectly accurate, but not for our specimen. The area was definately NOT a bog, but neither was it quite as dry as we would have thought to find Yucca. The genus of Yucca offers 40-50 species that are native to North America, West Indies, and Central America. The pollination process of the Yucca is quite interesting. It is carried out by a specific insect, the Yucca Moth. The creature transfers pollen to benefit the plant but also lays it's egg in the plant's flowers. The baby eats some - but not all - of the plant's seeds. Thus this is a partnership between two species to mutually
benefit from one another!
FunFacts:
An interesting bit about the Yucca plant is that it has the lowest ignition temperature of any wood and therefore is a highly effective fire-starting material. For those pet lovers out there, don't let your Peter Cotton-Tails eat any Yucca plant. It is poisonous to rabbits. The Yucca is famous in a nice way; it is the state flower of New Mexico. Flower
Plant location: On June 10, 2008 we saw an example in the foothills area of the Rocky Mountain Front Range.
The photo above is from a plant we encountered during a hike - Stagebarn/Botany trail - South Dakota - June 14, 2017 Plant
Bloom season: May through July.
Foliage
Stagebarn/Botany trail - South Dakota - June 14, 2017
Macro view of superior ovary from a single yucca flower.
Stagebarn/Botany trail - South Dakota - June 14, 2017
Yucca -or- Soapweed -or- Spanish Bayonet (Yucca glauca), family Agavaceae (Century Plant)
Flower 
Plant location: On June 10, 2008 we saw an example in the foothills area of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. 
Bloom season: May through July.
Foliage 
Stagebarn/Botany trail - South Dakota - June 14, 2017
Stagebarn/Botany trail - South Dakota - June 14, 2017