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Yucca aloifolia - L.

Common Name Spanish Bayonet, Aloe yucca, Dagger Plant, Yucca, Spanish Bayonet
Family Agavaceae
USDA hardiness 8-10
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 Sand dunes of the coast, occasionally up to 60 km inland, in pine forests[82]. Also found on the margins of brackish marshes[229].
Range Southeastern N. America - North Carolina to Florida, west to Louisiana. Naturalized in S. Europe[11]
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Yucca aloifolia Spanish Bayonet, Aloe yucca, Dagger Plant, Yucca, Spanish Bayonet


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Yucca aloifolia Spanish Bayonet, Aloe yucca, Dagger Plant, Yucca, Spanish Bayonet
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Rebou

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Yucca aloifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 7.5 m (24ft 7in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile.
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

Dracaena lenneana. Sarcoyucca aloifolia. Yucca arcuata

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Fruit  Stem
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[257]. A thick, succulent mass of bitter-sweet juicy flesh[82]. The fruit is up to 10 cm long and 4cm wide[229]. Flowers - raw or cooked[177]. They are delicious raw, or can be dried, crushed and used as a flavouring. A crisp texture[183]. Flowering stem - peeled and boiled[177, 183]. Used like asparagus.

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.
Purgative  Salve

The fruit is purgative[240]. The boiled and mashed root, mixed with oil, has been used as a salve in the treatment of various complaints[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Basketry  Brush  Fibre  Soap  String  Varnish

A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making ropes, baskets and mats[169]. Narrow, split leaf strips have been used as sewing material for coiled plaques[257]. The leaves have been used in several types of basketry[257]. The leaf splints have been used as brushes to apply colour to pottery[257]. The leaves can be split and used as a temporary string[257]. The roots are rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute. They are crushed and then placed in water to form suds that are used in bathing and shampooing[257]. The juice from the plant has been used as a varnish[257].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south[11]. They can succeed in light shade[K]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[200]. Established plants are very drought resistant[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c if in a suitable site[11, 200]. It requires greenhouse protection in most of the country[1]. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. 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, does not require the Yucca moth for pollination and will set fruit without hand pollination[11]. The flowers open at night[229] and are powerfully fragrant at this time[245]. 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]. Special Features: North American native, Attracts butterflies, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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]. 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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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.

 

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