Yucca gloriosa Spanish dagger (Agavaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Yucca gloriosa
Spanish dagger
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Yucca gloriosa plant species is found in Southeastern N. America - North Carolina to Florida. Naturalized in S. Europe[50]. It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Spanish dagger. Some home gardeners know the variety as Y. ellacombei

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca gloriosa
Common Name:  Spanish dagger
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:  1.8   Mature Width:  1.2

Habitat:  Sand dunes and the borders of beaches of the seacoast[82].

Cultivation Notes: Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south[11]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Established plants are very drought resistant[190]. Judging by its native habitat, this plant should tolerate maritime exposure[K]. Very cold hardy, tolerating temperatures down to at least -15°c[200], or to -25°c according to another report[187], but plants are subject to injury and decay by winter damp and snow[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[187]. Plants do not flower every year, requiring hot summers to initiate flowering[190]. The flowers are produced in the autumn and are often damaged by early frosts[233]. The scent of the flowers is most pronounced at night[245]. 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 later 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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