Yucca filamentosa Spoonleaf yucca (Agavaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Yucca filamentosa
Spoonleaf yucca
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Yucca filamentosa plant species is found in Southeastern N. America - Southern New Jersey to Florida. Naturalized in S. Europe. It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Spoonleaf yucca. Some home gardeners know the variety as Y. concava.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca filamentosa
Common Name:  Spoonleaf yucca
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:  1.2   Mature Width:  0.6

Habitat:  Sand dunes, waste ground and pine forests along the coastal plain[11, 43].

Cultivation Notes: A very easily grown plant, it thrives in most soils but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south[11]. Dislikes peaty or chalky soils[111]. Can succeed in light shade[K]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Established plants are very drought resistant[190]. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c when grown in a well-drained soil. This species is one of the toughest members of the genus and once established is capable of surviving, and even thriving, despite considerable neglect. Plants growing in dense weed competition on our Cornwall trial grounds have managed to spread and even flower[K]. A very ornamental and free flowering species[1], there are some named varieties[182]. In the plants native environment, its flowers 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. 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 about four years[233]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]

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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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