Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - May 15, 2012

From: Arlington, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Cacti and Succulents
Title: Pollinating moth of Arkansas Yucca from Arlington TX
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

What is the pollinating moth of the Arkansas yucca. I have Desert willows which is the larval host for white-winged moth, but the yuccas are still not seeding. What other larval hosts plants can I provide for the AY?

ANSWER:

From the US Forest Service, we found this article on Yucca Moths - Tegeticula sp.

The Yucca and its Moth from Palomar.edu.

From eHow How Often Do Yucca Plants Bloom? we found this quotation:

"Not all species of yucca bloom with similar regularity or visual prominence. As these plants are slow-growing, some take considerable time to mature to an age that produces flowers. Once a plant does bloom, expect blooms to return again the subsequent years at the same time of year."

We could find no specific information on exactly how old Yucca arkansana (Arkansas yucca) had to be to put on blooms. In terms of propagation, of course, you can always transplant offshoots of the main plant. Follow the plant link to learn about this specific species of yucca.  In addition, here is an excellent article on How to Plant a Yucca Plant.

 

From the Image Gallery


Arkansas yucca
Yucca arkansana

Arkansas yucca
Yucca arkansana

Arkansas yucca
Yucca arkansana

More Cacti and Succulents Questions

Is a Texas Mountain Laurel too messy for swimming pool area?
November 24, 2008 - Our landscaper has recommended a Texas Mountain Laurel to plant beside our swimming pool. We recently removed Cherry Laurels from the same location because of the mess they made in the pool (especiall...
view the full question and answer

What variety of Opuntia is best for eating in Boerne, TX.
September 26, 2011 - Which variety of Opuntia, is best for eating the pads and which are the ones best eaten for fruit?
view the full question and answer

Worms found in Agave used in tequila
February 06, 2008 - Hi, I am a writer and have been trying to find some referenced information regarding the moth larvae/'worms' associated with Agave and some mezcal beverages - specifically, Hypopta agavis, Aegiale ...
view the full question and answer

Black bugs on yucca from Aledo TX
April 14, 2013 - We have flowering yuccas that have thousands of small black bugs that seem to be hurting the plant. They are not on any other foliage in our beds. What do I use to get rid of them??
view the full question and answer

Texas natives to plant in July and August
July 23, 2008 - My husband and I have a disaster of a lawn that we were planning to develop slowly, over time, with a sustainable design we contracted from a landscape designer. However, we are having to move out of...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.