Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Yucca aloifolia L.
Aloe yucca, Spanish dagger
Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)
Aloe yucca or spanish dagger is a slender-stemmed plant, 6-12 ft. high (sometimes taller) with a stocky, branched or unbranched trunk. The
evergreen leaves are thick and stiff and up to 2 ft. long, with tiny, sharp serrations on the margin and a very sharp tip. Whitish,
pendulous flowers, about 3 in. wide, occur in erect clusters up to 2 ft. long, and are followed by
fruit which becomes pendent.
Evergreen shrub or small
tree often with stout clustered trunks that are sometimes branched, with sprouts at the slightly swollen base, and with bayonetlike leaves crowded and spreading at top.
Tolerant of salt and suitable for planting along sandy shores, Spanish Bayonet is easily propagated from sprouts. Several cultivated varieties have striped or colored leaves. The
fruit is eaten by birds and sometimes by humans, and the flowers can be served as a salad or cooked. Pioneers made rope and string from the
fibrous leaves.
Image Gallery:
3 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC
Native Distribution: Coastal plain from NC to FL & LA
Native Habitat: Sand dunes; edges of brackish marshes
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(I), VI(I) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Well-drained sands.
Conditions Comments: Spanish dagger is tolerant of salt spray. It is often used as an ornamental but its placement should be carefully considered as the sharp-pointed leaves can be dangerous.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Last Update: 2009-02-18
