Yucca baccata Spanish bayonet (Agavaceae) Evergreen shrub

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Yucca baccata
Spanish bayonet
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Yucca baccata plant species is found in Southwestern N. America - Colorado to Texas, California and mexico. It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Spanish bayonet. Some home gardeners know the variety as Y. circinata

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca baccata
Common Name:  Spanish bayonet
Family:  Agavaceae
Author:  Torr.

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:  0.9   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Dry slopes usually on rocky or sandy soils.

Edible Uses: Fully ripe fruit - raw, cooked or dried for winter use[1, 2, 3, 62, 92, 94, 257]. A staple food for several native North American Indian tribes, the fruits are large, fleshy, sweet and palatable[85, 92, 95, 183]. The ovoid fruit is about 17cm long and 7cm wide[200]. Considered to be a luxury by the native North American Indians[207], the fruits were often baked in ovens[216]. The cooked fruit can be formed into cakes and then dried for later use[257]. Large quantities of the fruit has caused diarrhoea in people who are not used to it[85]. The dried fruit can be dissolved in water to make a drink[257]. Flower buds - cooked[2, 62, 95, 183]. A soapy taste[85]. The older flowers are best[85], they are rich in sugar[94]. The flowers, harvested before the summer rains (which turn them bitter), have been used as a vegetable[257]. Flowering stems - cooked[257]. Harvested before the flowers open then roasted[257]. Seed - cooked. It can be roasted and then ground into a powder and boiled[62, 85]. The tender crowns of the plants have been roasted and eaten in times of food shortage[257]. The young leaves have been cooked as a flavouring in soups[257].

For further Yucca baccata gardening information
click on one of the blue links below

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'.
View their bibliography
Useful Edible Plants Future