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Plant Families / Yucca


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Yucca

Yucca is a genus of over 40 species in the agave family, native to arid regions of North and Central America

Architectural plants: Yucca plants are known for their sword-like leaves and striking flower spikes

Diversity: They come in a variety of shapes and colors, from small, compact specimens to towering trees. Common types include Yucca filamentosa, Yucca gloriosa, and Yucca brevifolia.

Hardiness: many are able to withstand temperatures well below freezing. Some plants, such as Yucca filamentosa, are hardy in USDA Zones 4-11, while others, such as Yucca rostrata, can survive in Zones 5-11.

Drought-tolerant: Yuccas have adapted to survive in harsh, dry conditions. They have deep root systems that allow them to access water stored deep in the soil, and they are able to withstand long periods of drought without suffering damage. 

Fire-resistant: Yuccas are generally considered to be fire-resistant. They have a fibrous, succulent nature that allows them to retain moisture even in dry conditions. 

Edible: The fruit, flowers, and stem are all edible and have been used by indigenous peoples for centuries as a source of food.

Low maintenance: Yuccas are generally low-maintenance and require minimal care. 

Landscape uses: Yuccas are often used as specimen plants or in groupings for dramatic effect in landscaping. They are ideal for xeriscaping and other water-wise landscaping techniques

Indoor uses: Yucca can be grown indoors, depending on the variety and growing conditions. They make great indoor plants due to their interesting shape and texture. 

Other uses: Yucca extract is used in soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products for its cleansing and soothing properties. It is also a common ingredient in natural and alternative medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The tough fibers have been used for making ropes and baskets for centuries. 

Wildlife: Yuccas provide habitat and food for a variety of wildlife species. They provide food and shelter for a variety of insects, birds, and mammals, such as desert tortoises, jackrabbits, and quail.

Deer: Deer typically avoid eating yucca plants, as their leaves are tough and fibrous and have sharp spines on the edges. 

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Dasylirion acrotrichum (Green Desert Spoon)

Dasylirion acrotrichum (Green Desert Spoon) is a very ornamental evergreen succulent boasting a perfectly rounded rosette packed with up to 100-300 long, slender, ribbonlike, lime green leaves with feathery, tufted ends. The leaves can reach 3 ft. in length (90 cm) and are adorned with small recurved spines along their edges.

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Dasylirion serratifolium (Desert Spoon)

Dasylirion serratifolium (Desert Spoon) is a very ornamental evergreen succulent boasting a perfectly symmetrical rosette of long, narrow, prominently serrate, blue-green leaves. The leaves can reach 3 ft. in length (90 cm) and are adorned with feathery, tufted ends.

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Hesperaloe parviflora (Red Yucca)

Hesperaloe parviflora (Red Yucca) is a yucca-like evergreen perennial succulent forming a rosette of thin, arching, sword-like, blue-green leaves, 2-3 ft. long (60-90 cm). Unlike yucca, the leaves are spineless, and have fibrous threads along their edges.

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Yucca aloifolia (Spanish Bayonet)

Adding vertical structure to the garden, Yucca aloifolia (Spanish Bayonet) is a very ornamental, broadleaf evergreen shrub, simple or densely branched, boasting terminal rosettes of sword-shaped, dagger-like, deep green leaves. Thick and stiff, the evergreen leaves, 2 ft. long (60 cm), feature small, sharp serrations on the margin and a very sharp tip.

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Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree)

An impressive sight, Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree) is a large, slow-growing, upright evergreen tree with a stout trunk, heavy branches and an open, rounded canopy. Rosettes of stiff, narrow, sharply pointed, gray-green leaves, 6-14 in. long (15-35 cm), are clustered near the branch tips.

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Yucca elata (Soaptree Yucca)

One of the most reliable trunking yuccas for cold climates, Yucca elata (Soaptree Yucca) is a very ornamental, slow-growing, evergreen tree-like yucca boasting a dense rosette of narrow, linear, blue-green leaves, up to 4 ft. long (120 cm). The sharp-pointed leaves display white margins and produce fine, silvery filaments.

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Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca)

The tallest of the Yuccas, Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) is a large, upright succulent shrub or small tree boasting several sparsely branched trunks that thicken over time and resemble an elephant's foot. They are topped by spiral rosettes of sword-shaped, blue-green leaves that may reach 4 ft. on mature plants.

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Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard' (Adam's Needle)

Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard' (Adam's Needle) is a very ornamental, broadleaf evergreen shrub featuring a basal rosette of rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped, rich green leaves with a broad, central, brilliant yellow stripe. The leaves are edged with curly filaments and are tinged with pink and rose during the winter months.

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Yucca filamentosa 'Excalibur' (Adam's Needle)

Yucca filamentosa 'Excalibur' (Adam's Needle) is a very ornamental, broadleaf evergreen shrub featuring a basal rosette of rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped, blue-green to glaucous gray-green leaves. The leaves are edged with an extraordinary number of curly white filaments.

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Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle)

Native to the southeastern United States, Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle) is a very ornamental, broadleaf evergreen shrub featuring a basal rosette of rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped, deep green leaves edged with curly filaments. They are topped in early to midsummer with a dramatic flowering stalk

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Yucca gloriosa 'Bright Star' (Spanish Dagger)

Adding drama to the garden year-round, Yucca gloriosa 'Bright Star' (Spanish Dagger) is a very ornamental, slow-growing evergreen shrub featuring a basal rosette of broad, stiff, sword-shaped, green leaves adorned with bright ivory edges. Gracefully curving downward, the leaves boast a sharp terminal spine.

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Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata' (Spanish Dagger)

Adding a bright note to the garden year-round, award-winner Yucca gloriosa 'Variegata' (Spanish Dagger) is a very ornamental, broadleaf evergreen shrub featuring a basal rosette of attractive, rigid, sword-shaped, spine-tipped blue-green leaves, striped and edged creamy-yellow. They are topped in early summer with a dramatic flowering stalk reaching 4 ft. (120 cm) and bearing dense panicles of nodding bell-shaped creamy white flowers. Adds architectural interest to the garden.

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Yucca rostrata (Beaked Yucca)

Perhaps the most handsome yucca, Yucca rostrata (Beaked Yucca) is a very ornamental, slow-growing, evergreen tree-like yucca forming a perfectly symmetrical pom-pom, full of hundreds of 2 ft. long (60 cm), sharp-tipped, pale bluish-green leaves. This shimmering rosette is mounted atop a tree trunk, which is covered with the soft gray fibers of the old leaves, creating a silver haze.

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Yucca whipplei (Our Lord's Candle)

Yucca whipplei (Our Lord's Candle) is an evergreen shrub forming a dense, trunkless rosette of narrow, linear, gray-blue leaves, up to 3 ft. long (90 cm). The leaves display sharply toothed edges and needlelike tips.

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