Yucca glauca Soapweed (Agavaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Yucca glauca
Soapweed
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Yucca glauca plant species is found in Central N. America - Iowa to Texas and N. Dakota. It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Soapweed. Some home gardeners know the variety as Y. angustifolia.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca glauca
Common Name:  Soapweed
Family:  Agavaceae
Author:  Nuttall.

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:  1.5   Mature Width:  0.5

Habitat:  Dry plains and sandy hills[43].

General Uses: Both the leaves, and a fibre obtained from the leaves, can be used for making cloth, ropes and mats[21, 57, 61, 82, 85, 169, 257]. The leaves can be split and used to make baskets[257]. The leaves are used as paint brushes and brooms[46, 85, 92]. The leaves can be split and used as a temporary tying material[257]. The sharp points of the leaves have been used as needles[257]. The roots are rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute[82, 85, 95]. The soap obtained from the root makes a good hair shampoo[95], it is said to be effective against dandruff and also to act as a tonic to stop the hair falling out[213, 257]. The shampoo also rids the body of lice and other parasites[257].

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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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