Marcus, Joseph A.
Yucca treculeana Carr.
Spanish Dagger, Don Quixote's Lance, Palma Pita
Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)
Shrub or small
tree with
stem unbranched except near the top, and up to 10 or more feet tall. In brushy and open areas. Leaves stiff, sharp pointed, up to 3 feet long by 3 inches wide, in large clumps at the ends of stems or branches, dead ones hanging below the live ones. Flowers white or faintly purplish, in dense, showy clusters rising above the leaves, appearing in March and April.
Fruit a
capsule up to 4 inches long by 1 inch wide.
Image Gallery:
43 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Red
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , Dec
Distribution
USA: TX
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: It is said that the Aztecs used to use the leaves of the Spanish Dagger to stab snakebite wounds in their skin in order to help flush out the poison.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental, Accent
tree or
shrub, Aromatic, Security hedge
Use Wildlife: Nectar-moths, Nesting site.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Yucca giant skipper butterfly, Ursine giant skipper, Streckers giant skipper.
Deer Resistant: High
2013-03-07
