Yucca filifera (Agavaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Yucca filifera
Evergreen shrub
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The Yucca filifera plant species is found in Southeastern N. America. It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Some home gardeners know the variety as Y. filamentosa flaccida. Y. flaccida. Y. meloensis. Y. puberula.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca filifera
Family:  Agavaceae
Author:  Chadaub.

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:  10   Mature Width:

Habitat:  Dry or stony soils, Blue ridge and Appalachian provinces, Alabama to North Carolina[72].

Cultivation Notes: Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south[11]. Can succeed in light shade[K]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Established plants are very drought resistant[200]. Hardy to at least -5°c according to one report[200], whilst another says that it is hardy to about -30c[164]. The leaves can be damaged by strong winds[11]. 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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