Yucca aloifolia Spanish bayonet (Agavaceae) Evergreen tree

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Yucca aloifolia
Spanish bayonet
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Yucca aloifolia plant species is found in Southeastern N. America - North Carolina to Florida, west to Louisiana. Naturalized in S. Europe[11] It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Spanish bayonet.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca aloifolia
Common Name:  Spanish bayonet
Family:  Agavaceae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  The roots contain saponins[222]. Whilst saponins are quite toxic to people, they are poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass straight through. They are also destroyed by prolonged heat, such as slow baking in an oven. Saponins are found in many common foods such as beans[K]. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Mature Height:  7.5   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Sand dunes of the coast, occasionally up to 60 km inland, in pine forests[82]. Also found on the margins of brackish marshes[229].

Cultivation Notes: Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south[11]. They can succeed in light shade[K]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Established plants are very drought resistant[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c if in a suitable site[11, 200]. It requires greenhouse protection in most of the country[1]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. The flowers of most members of this genus can only be pollinated by a certain species of moth. This moth cannot live in Britain and, if fruit and seed is required, hand pollination is necessary. This can be quite easily and successfully done using something like a small paint brush. This species, however, does not require the Yucca moth for pollination and will set fruit without hand pollination[11]. The flowers open at night[229] and are powerfully fragrant at this time[245]. Individual crowns are monocarpic, dying after flowering[233]. However, the crown will usually produce a number of sideshoots before it dies and these will grow on to flower in later years[233]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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