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Yucca recurvifolia - Salisb.

Common Name Curve-leaf yucca
Family Agavaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
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 Dunes on coastal plains[72].
Range South-eastern N. America - Georgia to Missouri and Louisiana.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Yucca recurvifolia Curve-leaf yucca


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cillas
Yucca recurvifolia Curve-leaf yucca
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Miwasatoshi

 

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Summary

UPDATE 21/09/11: Yucca recurvifolia Salisb. is a synonym of Yucca gloriosa var. recurvifolia (Salisb.) Engelm.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Yucca recurvifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from September to October. 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.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Y. gloriosa recurvifolia. Y. pendula. Y. recurva.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Fruit  Stem
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Flowers - raw or cooked. They are delicious raw, and can also be dried, crushed and used as a flavouring[164]. A crisp crunchy texture, the flowers are very substantial and need to be well chewed. They have a slightly bitter flavour[K]. Flowering stem - cooked and used like asparagus[164].

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

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Other Uses

Fibre  Soap

A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making ropes, baskets and mats[82. 169]. The roots are rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute[82].

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]. Can succeed in light shade[K]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[190]. Hardy to at least -15°c[187, 200], this species is the most easily cultivated of the Yuccas, resisting snow, damp and atmospheric pollution[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[182]. Closely related to Y. gloriosa[1], and possibly a sterile hybrid[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 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

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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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alabama (south), Florida (north), Georgia (south), Louisiana (southeast), Mississippi (south))

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 :

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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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Salisb.

Botanical References

1172200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Ernest Alan Gildersleve   Sun May 14 2006

My plant has flowered twice but did not die and looks very healthy.It has produced a long horizontal trunk lying on the ground.

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