Yucca elata
(Soaptree Yucca)
Yucca elata, River Road, Big Bend National Park 4598
Yucca elata, Cerro Castelan, Big Bend National Park 4585
Yucca elata, River Road, Big Bend National Park 4605
Yucca elata, Cerro Castelan, Big Bend National Park 4586
| Scientific Name | Yucca elata | USDA PLANTS Symbol | YUEL |
| Common Name | Soaptree Yucca | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 43139 |
| Family | Asparagaceae (Asparagus) formerly Agavaceae | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Desert habitat; mesas, sandy plains, hillsides from 1500 to 6000 ft. Plant: Erect, tree-like yucca with stems 3 to 15 feet tall and 1 to 5 ascending branches up to 25 ft tall. Leaves: Large, symmetrical head of fine, arching, flexible, gray-green to blue-green linear, sharp-pointed leaves 12 to 36 inches long and less than 1/2-inch wide, convex in cross-section; white or greenish-white margins with curly filaments, no teeth. Inflorescence: Flowering stalk 3 to 7 feet long with a very large spreading panicle 1-1/2 to 11 ft. long and 1-1/2 to 3 ft. in diameter, containing of 20 to 45 side branches covered with clusters of bell-shaped flowers, creamy-white, may be greenish or pink-tinged; petals 1-3/8 to 2-1/4 inches long. Bloom Period: May to July. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024