Yucca filamentosa

Author: Darlene J. Biddle



Common Names: (Uphof 560)

Higher Taxa:according to Cronquist's System (Mabberley 621)

Identification:Y. filamentosa was first discovered by Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist (Stafleu and Cowan 71).The species was first described by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum on page 319 (Hooker and Jackson 1244).

Michael A. Dirr describes this species as a "low evergreen shrub with stiffly erect and spreading leaves, . . ." and a stem that does not rise above the ground (759). The leaves of Y. filamentosaare 1 to 2 1/2 inches long and 1 1/2 to 4 inches wide. The flowers bloom in May-June in Athens and July-August in Urbana on panicles 3 to 6 feet high. The flowers are yellowish white and 2 to 3 inches in diameter. This particular species is very hardy and "can be grown as far north as Minnesota with some protection" (Dirr 759).

Y. flaccida is closely related to Y. filamentosa. However, the leaves of Y. flaccida are shorter, 1 to 1 3/4 inches long, and narrower, 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. The leaves bend downwards. The flowers of Y. flaccida are also similar to Y. filamentosa"but occur in a downy, shorter panicle"(Dirr 759).

Here is a photograph of Y. filamentosa taken at The State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens.

Photograhed by Darlene Biddle

Geography: According to Stanwyn and Skog, this species is native to the Northeast, Southeast and South Plains of the United States(153).

Table I: North American Distribution of Y. filamentosa

Yucca filamentosa

AREA STATUS REFERENCES
North America Contental United States; Yes Stanwyn and Skog 153-154
Eastern North America United States east of Mississippi;
Yes Stanwyn and Skog 153-154
Southeastern United States AL AR DE DC FL GA KY MD NC SC TN VA WV Yes Stanwyn and Skog 153-154
Southern Appalachian States AL GA KY MD NC SC TN WV Yes Stanwyn and Skog 153-154
Coastal Plain Widespread Stanwyn and Skog 153-154
Piedmont Widespread Stanwyn and Skog 153-154
Blue Ridge Mountains ? -
Great Smoky Mountains National Park ? -
Ridge and Valley No Stanwyn and Skog 153-154
Cumberland Plateau ? -
Central Arch ? -
Georgia Widespread Jones and Coile 10
Clarke County Yes Jones and Coile 10
Sam's Farm No Darlene Biddle, Pers. Ob.
Old Field No Darlene Biddle, Pers. Ob.
Wetland No Darlene Biddle, Pers. Ob.
Wood No Darlene Biddle, Pers. Ob.
1-Hectare Plot No Darlene Biddle, Pers. Ob.


Natural History: According to D.J. Mabberley, most species of Yucca plants east of the Rocky Mountains depend on Tegeticola (Pronube) yaccasella, a moth, for pollination. This moth is active at night, when the flowers are strongly scented, and rests in the flowers during the day (621).

The Y. filamentosa is a commonly cultivates species in Europe(Mabberley 621).

How to Encounter: This species grows in "open or thinly wooded xeric habitats(Radford, Ahles, and Bell 297). The flowers bloom mid-summer to early autumn on panicles which stand 3-6 feet above the ground(Dirr 759).

Y. filamentosa is sometimes confused with Y. smalliana. Y. smalliana "has thinner, flatter, narrower leaves, 7/8 to 1 3/4 inches wide, long-tapered at apex"(Dirr 759). Another difference between Y. filamentosaand Y. smallianaare the panicle and flowers. The panicle and flowers or Y. smalliana are smaller than those of Y. filamentosa(Dirr 759).

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Last updated July 14, 1998