Yuccas

Members of the Agave family, yuccas are native to southern USA and Mexico. There are around thirty species, and most have stout woody trunks, rosettes of spiky leaves and big clusters of creamy white flowers. In the wild these fascinating plants have a mutually exclusive relationship with a moth (Tegeticula spp.). They provide food for the yucca moth, and it pollinates their flowers. Most yuccas have leaves tipped with sharp spines, hence common names like Spanish bayonet, Spanish dagger and Adam's needle. Yucca elephantipes, the plant we featured on Burke's Backyard, does not have sharp leaves. This beautiful species comes from the high country of Mexico and Central America, where it has long been valued for its medicinal and culinary uses.

Plant details

Common name: Spineless or soft-tipped yucca

Botanical name: Yucca elephantipes

Description: Small evergreen tree reaching around 9 metres (30') in the wild, but it is usually smaller in cultivation. It develops a thick, branching trunk which is reminiscent of an elephant's foot at the base. From summer to autumn it produces white bell-shaped flowers in large panicles.

Best climate: Adaptable to a wide range of climates and conditions.

Best look:

indoors as an architectural pot plant outdoor landscaping plant rainforest garden water-wise garden suitable for modern, Santa Fe or Mediterranean style houses and landscapes

Good points:

extremely versatile plant drought, salt and frost tolerant edible flowers are tasty and nutritious

Care:

Outdoors yuccas prefer a full sun position with a well-drained sandy soil.

Availability:

Yucca elephantipes is currently available at nurseries in all states except Western Australia, where it is soon to be released. Prices vary from $40 for a 1 metre (3') high plant in a 250mm (10") pot, to $300 for a plant 2.5 metres (8') high in a 500mm (20") pot. Glucina's Wholesale Nursery, 470 Rochedale Road, Rochedale, QLD, 4123. Phone: (07) 3219 7888 Fax: (07) 3219 0938.

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