AgavaceaeIn the American continent, the succulent monocotyledons have diverged into a number of important families of succulent plants, including the Agavaceae which form distinctive rosettes and flower spikes. The family Agavaceae includes Agave, Beschorneria, Furcraea, Hesperaloe, Manfreda, Polianthes, Prochnyanthes, and the genus Yucca which is the focus of this page. |
Yucca Linnaeus 1757 Name: from an Indian word: Yuca = cassava ![]() There are at least 50 species of Yucca within the Agavaceae, and numerous subspecies, varieties, forms, cultivars and hybrids of horticultural merit have been described. Several variegated cultivars are available, but may be less vigor.ous than non-variegates. Some common names such as "Palma", "Spanish Bayonet", "Spanish Dagger" etc. are used for several species, so are unhelpful identifers. See also: About Yuca & Yucca |
![]() Yucca aloifolia Linnaeus 1753 |
Fibres from the leaves of Yucca aloifolia have been used to make string and twine. Its tolerance of humid and dry climates has made it a popular architectural succulent plant in many temperate countries. However, plants should be sited well away from paths because of the sharp terminal spines on the leaves. Several selected cultivars are available.
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![]() Yucca aloifolia 'Vittorio Emanuele II' |
![]() Yucca angustissima Engelmann ex Trelease 1902 |
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Yucca baccata Torrey 1859 (Banana Yucca, Datil Yucca) |
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Yucca brevifolia Engelmann 1871 (Joshua Tree) |
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Yucca constricta Buckley 1863 (Buckley Yucca) |
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Yucca decipiens Trelease 1907 (Palma China) |
Yucca elephantipes Regel 1859 |
Yucca faxoniana Sargent 1905 Syn. Yucca carnerosana (Spanish Dagger) |
Yucca filamentosa Linnaeus 1753 |
![]() Yucca filifera Chabaud 1876 (Palma China) |
Yucca flaccida Haworth 1819 |
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Y. glauca var. stricta Trelease 1902 |
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Yucca gloriosa Linnaeus 1753 (Adam's needle, Spanish Dagger) |
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Yucca schidigera Roezl ex Ortgies 1871 (Mohave Yucca) |
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Yucca torreyi Shafer 1908 |
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Yucca treculeana Carrière 1858 |
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Yucca valida Brandegee 1889 (Datilillo) |
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Yucca whipplei Torrey 1859 (Our Lord's Candle) |
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Yucca near Persimmon Pass, just outside the Big Bend National Park.
This succulent plant with its very long straight-edged leaves without filaments and disorderly appearance, was markedly different from other Yuccas growing in this area. |