Yucca elata Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm. Yucca angustissima Engelm. ex Trel. var. elata Engelm. Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm. var. elata Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm. var. utahensis (McKelvey) Reveal Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm. var. verdiensis (McKelvey) Reveal Yucca utahensis McKelvey Yucca verdiensis McKelvey Soaptree Yucca
Soaptree yuccas are natives of southwestern North America. Soapy material in the roots and trunks were used as soap. Its fibrous leaves were used for basket weaving. Identification: These small trees are 4-15' (1.2-4.5 m) tall, with a thick brown trunk, sometimes branched, mostly covered in a skirt of dried leaves. Leaves are in dense whorls at the top(s) of the trunk(s). They are yellowish and leather-like, measuring 10-39" (25-100 cm) × ⅛-½" (5-13 mm) wide, with wiry white filaments. The flowers are white, bell-shaped, about 1-2" (3-6 cm) long. Flowers are on a spike that emerges well above the leaves. The fruits are capsules 1½-3" (4-8 cm) × ¾-1½" (2-4 cm). See the Yucca page for a comparison with other yuccas. Online References:
Yucca elata at Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and the Plants of the Sonoran Desert Yucca elata on Wikipedia Yucca elata on DesertUSA: Exploring the Southwest Yucca elata at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Yucca elata as Compiled by the Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension References:
Irish, Mary & Irish, Gary, Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants: A Gardener’s Guide, Timber Press, 2000, p. 241 5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ Yucca elata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Aug 2013. © FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved. |
5/24/2009 · Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ 5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ 5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ 5/25/2009 · Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ Range: Zones 7-12:
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