Accession Count: 41
Common Name:
pendulous yucca
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Yucca gloriosa
Sub Species:
Variety:
tristis
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Yucca gloriosa var. tristis, is an evergreen shrub, with bright green leaves that grow three feet long and three inches wide, found in rosette clusters at the terminal end of the stems that give a lush, dense appearance. The young concave leaves have an upward curve to them until they become too long to support themselves and end up curving downward (1). They can be either be trained to have either a single stem or one to two stems that grow from the base. A large three to five foot stalk will grow upwards from the crown and display a cluster of white, bell-shaped flowers that hang downward in the late spring (1,2). The shrub itself typically grows six to 10 feet tall and covers four to six feet across depending on it's branching (1).
Compound:
Yuc glo tri
Geographic Origin:
Southeast United States
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Pendulous yucca is native to the southeastern region of the
United States, namely Georgia, Missouri and Louisiana (4).
Cultivation Notes:
This plant is not well adapted to the dry, hot climate of the Arizona desert. It grows well in full sun, but may yellow the foliage on extremely hot days. It is best to keep this yucca away from the west side of buildings, placed in light or partial shade, as well as watered once to twice monthly in well-drained soils. In the hottest weeks of the summer, supplemental watering is ideal. This plant is tolerant of temperatures as low as 20oF. For the best chance of propagation, seeds can be planted, or short stem cuttings can be taken from already established specimens (1,2,4)
Ethnobotany:
In southwest landscapes, this yucca should be planted in mini-oasis zones. Pendulous yucca is great for individual display, as a border, and as a container plant, especially around pools, fountains, and ponds. Some potential issues this plant my encounter include agave snout weevil, aphids, root rot, and white grub damage (1,3,4). The flowers and fruit are edible, and can be eaten cooked or raw. The flowers are said to have a somewhat bitter taste to them and tough to chew. The flowering stalk can also be cooked and eaten. Fibers from this plant are woven to create many different textiles, and saponins can be extracted from the roots and be used to make soap (5).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
ForeSummer
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
