Spanish Bayonet, Aloe yucca, Dagger Plant, Yucca, Spanish Bayonet

Yucca aloifolia

Physical Characteristics

Yucca aloifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 7.5 m (24ft 7in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Southeastern N. America - North Carolina to Florida, west to Louisiana. Naturalized in S. Europe[11]

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Stem Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[257]. A thick, succulent mass of bitter-sweet juicy flesh[82]. The fruit is up to 10 cm long and 4cm wide[229]. Flowers - raw or cooked[177]. They are delicious raw, or can be dried, crushed and used as a flavouring. A crisp texture[183]. Flowering stem - peeled and boiled[177, 183]. Used like asparagus.

Medicinal Uses

Purgative Salve The fruit is purgative[240]. The boiled and mashed root, mixed with oil, has been used as a salve in the treatment of various complaints[257].

Known Hazards

The roots contain saponins[222]. Whilst saponins are quite toxic to people, they are poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass straight through. They are also destroyed by prolonged heat, such as slow baking in an oven. Saponins are found in many common foods such as beans[K]. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].