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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Hesperaloe parviflora (Red yucca)
Brundage, Stephanie

Hesperaloe parviflora

Hesperaloe parviflora (Torr.) J.M. Coult.

Red Yucca, Coral Yucca, Red-flowered False Yucca, Redflower False Yucca, Yellow Yucca, Hummingbird Yucca, Samandoque

Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: HEPA8

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Not a yucca, this member of the Century-Plant family produces soft, yucca-like, evergreen leaves, 2-3 ft. in length, crowded on the perennial’s short, woody base. The flower stalk rises 5 ft. and bears showy, coral-colored, tubular flowers occur on arching, wand-like, pink stems. Leaves are plum-colored in winter; blue-green other times.

Coral Yucca is evergreen, drought-resistant, and adaptable to a variety of soils. Deer browse the foliage, while the flowers attract hummingbirds.

 

From the Image Gallery

90 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Ciliate
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Truncate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall when flowering.
Leaf: dark olive green
Flower: Flowers 35 mm long
Fruit: Seeds black to 3 cm

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Central Texas south to Coahuila in northern Mexico
Native Habitat: Prairies; rocky slopes; mesquite groves. Found in prairies, rocky slopes, and mesquite groves, mostly in Central Texas. Well-drained sand, loam, caliche, limestone.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: Heat and drought tolerant, red yucca is wonderful for rock gardens. The stiff leaves form a basal rosette. Flower spikes attract night-pollinating moths. The leaves are deer resistant, but the flowers can be eaten by deer. There is a naturally occuring color selection with buttery yellow colored flowers that blends well with the popular coral color.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Rocky hillside, Rock gardens, Desert landscape, Perennial garden, Blooms ornamental, Attractive, Accent, Long-lived, great for large pot culture
Use Wildlife: Deer browse the foliage, while the flowers attract hummingbirds. Nectar-hummingbirds, Fruit-deer
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant: High

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Plants for green roof in Mexico
August 06, 2008
Hello! I am checking local plants to plant on a Green Roof, and am researching on which are mostly to survive better. Is it possible to plant the following on a green roof?? (Root depth needed, basica...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
NPSOT - Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Hesperaloe parviflora in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Hesperaloe parviflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hesperaloe parviflora

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-13
Research By: TWC Staff

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