Years ago I took off on an adventure that I will never regret. I moved to New Mexico. During my time in that remarkable state I quickly got to know the Yucca, the state flower. There is also a species of Yucca that is the national flower of El Salvador, Yucca gigantea, commonly known as Izote.

In this photo, Yucca plants in New Mexico not surrounded by snow but by white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals at White Sands National Park. A place that I’ve visited many many times.

There are about 30 species of Yucca in North America. Before going to New Mexico I had never noticed Yucca plants though there are at least a couple species that are native to Maryland and Virginia. What a surprise to learn that.

Now I’ve got two Yuccas that are native to Virginia in my yard. In this photo, Yucca gloriosa, which blooms regularly in the autumn and below, Yucca filamentosa. “Filamentosa” of that name is a no-brainer.

Both of these plants bring back treasured memories.