Accession Count: 604
Common Name:
red yucca
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Hesperaloe parviflora
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
H. parviflora is a dense-clumping, evergreen plant with long, narrow, stiff, and arching leaves, measuring up to four feet in length and one and one-fourth inches in width. Its leaves, which form a rosette on a short woody base, are grey-green in color and have fibrous edges (1). This plant produces tall, wand-like flowering spikes (up to 10 feet in height, though usually shorter) with showy, red, tubular flowers (1,2).,
Compound:
Hes par
Geographic Origin:
Texas, Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
MX, SW
Natural History:
A common plant of the Chihuahuan Desert, red yucca is found most often in central Texas, extending all the way through Mexico (1). Although the plant bears some resemblance to yuccas, is it not a true yucca. The genus name Hesperaloe means “western aloe,” due to its similarity to true aloes of the Old World (3). The specific epithet parviflora means “small flowers.”
Cultivation Notes:
H. parviflora is a common landscape plant. It is a good choice for rock gardens, but is also outstanding by itself. The plant is drought and heat tolerant and will do well in a variety of soils as long as they are well drained (1,2,4,5). Although it requires no supplemental irrigation once established, red yucca will grow and flower better with some extra water from late spring to early fall (2,5). It exhibits a moderately fast growth rate. Unlike most agave and yucca species, red yucca does not have spines, making it appropriate for areas along paths or walkways, as long as enough room is available for the plant to grow. Although this species is very cold hardy, the plant’s leaves may turn purple in the winter when temperatures are low, up to around 0 ℉. A yellow-flowered variety is available. It can be propagated by seed or division and can be grown in pots, if desired (2,4).
Ethnobotany:
The leaves and fruit are reportedly poisonous (4). The flowers attract hummingbirds.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Fall
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Red
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
1.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Accessed January 30, 2017.
6. Walters, James E, and Balbir Backhaus. Shade and Color with Water-Conserving Plants. Timber Press, 1992.
