Biant Yucca (Yucca Filifera)

   
 

Left: Stalk and flowers. Right: Close-up of flowers. Both from 8.4 miles south of Paila, Coahuila, Mexico. Photographs by Wynn Anderson.

 

Left: Yucca filifera along the highway, 6 miles west of Huariche,, Coahuila, Mexico. Right: A single mature plant, Puente del Uilitio, Coahuila, Mexico. Photographs by Wynn Anderson.

• Common English Names: Giant Yucca
• Common Spanish Names: Palma China, Izote Yucca, Palma Corriente
• Scientific Name: Yucca filifera (YUCK-uh fill-ih-FUR-uh)
• Family: Asparagaceae (formerly Agavaceae) (Asparagus Family)
• Geographic Range: Northern Tamaulipas and Coahuila, south to San Luis Potosí and Guanajuato, Mexico.
• Description: Large, graceful aborescent plants to 30' tall, sometimes multi-stemmed from a massive bulbous base and usually multi-headed above with age. Relatively small (considering the large size of the plant) radiating heads of green, linear-lanceolate, spine-tipped leaves crown the limbs. Most notably, pendulous heads of white flowers and, subsequently, clusters of globose fruit, drape straight down below the leaf crown in summer.
• Landscape Usage: Easily transplanted while young or still without massive limbs. The plant is often salvaged from developing areas to line fence rows and roads in its native range. Seed-grown plants are sometimes available commercially in the US, but the plants are slow growing and ultimately too large in size and scale for most landscapes.
• Notes: Formerly known as Yucca australis.

Last Update: 24 Aug 2013