Yucca brevifolia Joshua tree (Agavaceae) Evergreen tree

Browse Plants Articles

Power Search!

Browse Botanic Names

Sponsored By KhorWills

Yucca brevifolia
Joshua tree
Evergreen tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Yucca brevifolia plant species is found in Southwestern N. America - California to Utah. It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Joshua tree. Some home gardeners know the variety as Y. arborescens.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca brevifolia
Common Name:  Joshua tree
Family:  Agavaceae
Author:  Engelm.

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:  9   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Arid mesas and mountain slopes, usually at 650 - 2200 metres[229].

Edible Uses: Flowers - cooked[257]. The flower buds, before opening, can be parboiled in salt water to remove the bitterness, drained and then cooked again and served like cauliflower[183]. The opened flowers are rich in sugar and can be roasted and eaten as candy[183]. Fruit - cooked[257]. The fruits can be roasted then formed into cakes and dried for later use[257]. Root - raw, boiled or roasted[183]. Seed[183]. Gathered and eaten by the local Indians[82]. No further details are given, but it is probably ground into a powder and mixed with cornmeal or other flours and used for making bread, cakes etc. Immature seedpod[257]. No more details given.

For further Yucca brevifolia 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