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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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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 , YellowBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: TXNative 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: LowLight 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 cultureUse 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...
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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 PlantsFNA: Find Hesperaloe parviflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hesperaloe parviflora
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-13Research By: TWC Staff