Texas Wildbuds
Yucca thompsoniana
(Thompson Yucca)
Yucca thompsoniana, South County Road, Brewster Co. 3745
Yucca thompsoniana, Cerro Castelan, Big Bend Natioanl Park, Brewster Co. 4686
Yucca thompsoniana, Cerro Castelan, Big Bend Natioanl Park, Brewster Co. 4685
Yucca thompsoniana, Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park 3722
| Scientific Name | Yucca thompsoniana | USDA PLANTS Symbol | YUTH |
| Common Name | Thompson Yucca, Beaked Yucca | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 43153 |
| Family | Asparagaceae (Asparagus) formerly Agavaceae | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Desert habitat; rocky slopes and knolls, 650 to 4600 ft. Plant: Solitary, erect, large, tree-like, usually single trunk up to 10 feet high, not including flower spike. Leaves: Often asymmetrical rosette of 100 or more leaves radiating from the top of the trunk with drooping dead leaves below; thin, flexible, mostly linear leaves up to 18 inches long and 1/2-inch wide; yellow or brownish edges are hard ("corneous" or of a texture resembling horn) and may be finely toothed, no fibers. Inflorescence: A very large cluster of blossoms in a narrowly ellipsoidal panicle from 1-1/2 to 3 feet tall starting usually 4 to 8 inches above the leaves and with 20 to 34 branchlets; many hanging, globe- to bell-shaped flowers, white petals 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long. Bloom Period: April to May. Fruit: Erect ellipsoidal capsule, 1-3/8 to 2-3/4 inches long and 3/4 to 1 inch across with a long twisted beak that flares when dry. References: "Little Big Bend" by Roy Morey, "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 2025