Spoonleaf Yucca, Adam's needle, Desert Candle, Needle Palm, St. Peter's Palm, Spanish Bayonet, Comm

Yucca filamentosa

Physical Characteristics

Yucca filamentosa is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Hand. 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

South-eastern N. America - Southern New Jersey to Florida. Naturalized in S. Europe.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Stem Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 46, 61]. Large and fleshy[161, 183]. The fruit is often dried for winter use[1]. Flowers - raw or dried, crushed and used as a flavouring[159, 164, 177]. A tasty addition to the salad bowl[183]. We have found the flowers to be fairly bitter[K]. Flowering stem - cooked and used like asparagus[164].

Medicinal Uses

Poultice Salve Medicinal Parts: Leaves and roots of non-flowering plants[301]. A poultice made from the roots is used in the treatment of sores, skin diseases and sprains[222, 257]. Liver and gallbladder disorders[301].

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].