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Yucca harrimaniae - Trelease.

Common Name

Spanish Bayonet, New Mexico Spanish bayonet

Family

Asparagaceae

USDA hardiness

6-9

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].

Habitats

High plains grasslands to open coniferous woods[228].

Range

Central N. America - Utah to Colorado.

Edibility Rating

(2 of 5)

Other Uses

(2 of 5)

Weed Potential

No

Medicinal Rating

(0 of 5)

Care (info)

Fully Hardy

Well drained soil

Moist Soil

Semi-shade

Full sun


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Summary

Taxonomic Note: This genus was formerly classified in the family Agavaceae. Modern classifications include it within the Asparagaceae.

Physical Characteristics

Yucca harrimaniae is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Hand.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Stem
Edible Uses:

Fruit - the immature fruit is cooked. A bitter taste, but most of the bitterness is in the skin[85]. Flowers - raw or cooked[85]. They are delicious raw, and can also be dried, crushed and used as a flavouring[164]. Flowering stem - peeled, cooked and used like asparagus[164]. The whitish inner portion is eaten[85].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Broom Fibre Soap

A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making ropes, baskets and mats[82, 85, 169]. The leaves themselves can be used as paint brushes[92], brooms or woven to make mats etc[85]. The roots are rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute[85].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south[11]. Requires a sunny position[11]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Established plants are very drought resistant, this species is also tolerant of cool damp weather[11]. Hardy to at least -30°c[164]. Closely allied to Y. glauca[1]. 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]

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient[K]. Seed is not produced in Britain unless the flowers are hand pollinated. Root cuttings in late winter or early spring. Lift in April/May and remove small buds from base of stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wood ashes to stop any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots in a greenhouse until established[78]. Division of suckers in late spring[111]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is best to pot up smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are growing away well. Plant them out in the following spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Colorado (west), New Mexico (northwest), Arizona (north), Nevada (east), Utah)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Eriogonum plumatella	Yucca Buckwheat	Shrub	1.0	8-10	M	LM	N	DM	2	2	2
Hesperaloe funifera	New Mexico false yucca	Perennial	1.8	6-9	S	LM	N	DM	0	0	2
Yucca aloifolia	Spanish Bayonet, Aloe yucca, Dagger Plant, Yucca, Spanish Bayonet	Tree	7.5	8-10	S	LMH	SN	DM	3	1	2
Yucca angustissima	Narrowleaf yucca, Kanab yucca, Toft's yucca, Yucca	Shrub	0.4	4-9	S	LMH	SN	DM	3	0	4
Yucca baccata	Spanish Bayonet, Banana yucca, Blue Yucca, Spanish Yucca	Shrub	0.9	6-11	S	LMH	N	DM	4	1	5
Yucca brevifolia	Joshua Tree, Jaeger's Joshua tree, Yucca, Joshua Tree	Tree	9.0	9-11	M	LMH	SN	DM	3	0	2
Yucca constricta	Buckley's Yucca	Perennial	1.5	8-11		LMH	SN	DM	2	0	2
Yucca elata	Soap Tree, Soaptree yucca, Soapweed, Soapweed Yucca	Shrub	2.0	9-11	S	LMH	SN	DM	2	0	3
Yucca filamentosa	Spoonleaf Yucca, Adam's needle, Desert Candle, Needle Palm, St. Peter's Palm, Spanish Bayonet, Comm	Shrub	1.2	4-10	M	LMH	SN	DM	3	1	4
Yucca filifera		Shrub	10.0	6-9		LMH	SN	DM	2	0	2
Yucca gigantea	Spineless yucca, Izote	Tree	6.0	9-11	F	LMH	SN	DM	3	0	2
Yucca glauca	Soapweed, Soapweed yucca, Gurney's yucca, American Vetch, Yucca, Narrowleaf Yucca, Soapweed	Shrub	1.5	4-10	S	LMH	SN	DM	2	2	2
Yucca gloriosa	Spanish Dagger, moundlily yucca, Palm Lily, Roman Candle, Mound Lily Yucca, Spanish Dagger	Shrub	1.8	6-11	S	LM	SN	DM	2	1	2
Yucca recurvifolia	Curve-leaf yucca	Shrub	2.5	7-10		LMH	SN	DM	3	0	2
Yucca rupicola	Twisted-Leaf Yucca, Texas yucca	Shrub	0.6	8-11		LMH	SN	DM	2	0	2
Yucca schidigera	Mojave Yucca, Yucca	Tree	4.5	9-10		LMH	N	DM	3	0	2
Yucca smalliana	Adam's Needle, Weak-leaf yucca	Shrub	1.2	8-11		LMH	SN	DM	2	0	2
Yucca treculiana	Torrey’s yucca or Spanish dagger	Tree	10.0	7-11	S	LMH	N	DM	3	2	3
Yucca whipplei	Our Lord's Candle	Shrub	2.0	7-11	S	LMH	S	DM	3	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

Trelease.

Botanical References

11200228

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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