Yucca whipplei Our Lord's candle (Agavaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Yucca whipplei
Our Lord's candle
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Yucca whipplei plant species is found in Southwestern N. America - S. California, Mexico. It is a member of the Agavaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Our Lord's candle. Some home gardeners know the variety as Y. funifera. Hesperoyucca funifera. Hesperoyucca whipplei.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Yucca whipplei
Common Name:  Our Lord's candle
Family:  Agavaceae
Author:  Torr.

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:  2   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Dry, grassy and often stony slopes to 1200 metres[84].

Cultivation Notes: Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south[11]. Requires a sunny position[11]. Prefers a hot dry position[166], strongly disliking winter wet[11]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[200]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Plants are hardy to at least -5°c[200] and tolerate short periods down to -10°c[187]. They grow well in the warmer maritime areas of Britain but need protection from winter rains[182]. Plants have survived to flowering at Kew and at Bodnant in N. Wales[187]. Cultivated as a fibre plant in Mexico[61]. A very ornamental plant[1], it requires late summer and autumn warmth to initiate flowering[11]. The flowers are sweetly scented[187]. Usually monocarpic, living for a number of years without flowering and dying after it does flower[11, 164]. Plants do produce suckers, however, and can be propagated by this means[78]. The flowers of most members of this genus 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. This species, however, is self-fertile and does not require the Yucca moth for pollination, setting fruit without hand pollination[11]. 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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