Joshua Tree, Jaeger's Joshua tree, Yucca, Joshua Tree

Yucca brevifolia

Physical Characteristics

Yucca brevifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 9 m (29ft 6in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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.

Distribution

South-western N. America - California to Utah.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Root Seed Seedpod Edible Uses: Flowers - cooked[257]. The flower buds, before opening, can be parboiled in salt water to remove the bitterness, drained and then cooked again and served like cauliflower[183]. The opened flowers are rich in sugar and can be roasted and eaten as candy[183]. Fruit - cooked[257]. The fruits can be roasted then formed into cakes and dried for later use[257]. Root - raw, boiled or roasted[183]. Seed[183]. Gathered and eaten by the local Indians[82]. No further details are given, but it is probably ground into a powder and mixed with cornmeal or other flours and used for making bread, cakes etc. Immature seedpod[257]. No more details given.

Medicinal Uses

None known

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].