Hill, Alison
Yucca torreyi Shafer
Torrey's yucca, Torrey yucca
Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)
The Torrey yucca sometimes reaches a height of 20 feet, but more commonly 3–10 feet. The trunk is often branched, but sometimes has a single stem. The flower
head may extend to 2 feet on the upper portion of the stem. The flowers are bell-shaped, 2–3 inches long, creamy-white or tinged with purple, waxy, with 6
tepals, 6
stamens, and 1
pistil which is 1–1 1/2 inches long. Leaves are 2–4 1/2 feet long, straight and rigid, ending in a sharp
spine 1 1/2–2 inches long, they radiate around the stem.
This species was named for John Torrey (1796-1873), the Columbia University botanist, who designated this yucca as a new variety in 1859.
Native Americans ate the pulpy fruits of this and related shrubby species either raw or roasted; they also dried and ground them into meal for winter use. The coarse fibers of the long leaves were made into ropes, mats, sandals, baskets, and cloth.
Image Gallery:
12 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Purple
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: NM , TX
Native Distribution: SW. Texas including Trans-Pecos Texas, S. New Mexico, and NE. Mexico; at 2000-5000 (610-1524 m).
Native Habitat: Dry soils of plains, mesas, and foothill slopes; in desert grassland and
shrub thickets.
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Last Update: 2009-02-20
