Yucca whipplei , or “Our Lord’s Candle can be found throughout the Angeles National Forest. These plants are known for their rosettes of evergreen leaves that are sword shaped, with sharp needles at the ends and very tough. The Native Americans used these leaves to make cordage that they used in traps, in construction of their living quarters, to make rope, to make sandals, cloth, and to sew clothing. The fruit, seeds, the very young flower shoot, and the flowers are all edible. The roots were used to make soap. The flowers are pollinated at night by Yucca Moths. Some of the flowers can reach a height of 16 feet, but 8-10 feet is usual.
