Yucca gloriosa

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Spanish Dagger
Long-trunked Spanish Dagger
Long-trunked Spanish Dagger
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Liliales
Family: Agavaceae
Genus: Yucca
Species: Y. gloriosa
Binomial name
Yucca gloriosa
L.

Yucca gloriosa is a shrub of the family Agavaceae, and of the genus Yucca. Common names include Spanish Dagger, Moundlily Yucca, Soft-tipped Yucca, Spanish Bayonet or Sea Islands Yucca.

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[edit] Description

Caulescent, 0.5-2.5 m tall, usually with several stems from the base, base thickened in adult specimens, branched above, rhizomatous, leaves straight, very stiff, 0.3-0.5 m long, 2-3.5 cm wide, dark green, light grey-green, margins entire, smooth, rarely fine denticulate, acuminate, with a sharp, brown, terminal spine, underside smooth. Inflorescence paniculate, 0.6-1.5 m tall, partially inferior to the leaves, flowers campanulate to elongate, numerous, pendulous, white, sometimes tinged purple or red, 3.5 cm long, fruits green, when ripe brownish, indehiscent, 5-8 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, obovate, seeds black, thickened.

Typical Yucca gloriosa grows along the coast and islands region of the southeastern USA, often together with Yucca aloifolia and Yucca recurvifolia. In contrast to Yucca recurvifolia, the leaves of Yucca gloriosa are hard stiff, erect and narrower. On the other hand, Yucca aloifolia has leaves with denticulate margins and a sharp-pointed, terminal spine. The flowering period is the end of summer and autumn wheras Yucca recurvifolia blooms in spring.

In collections in Europe and overseas, there are many forms and hybrids (Sprenger, Förster) from the 18th and 19th centuries. The following names have been used for material of uncertain origin in the European garden flora.

  • Yucca gloriosa var. minor Carr.
  • Yucca gloriosa var. obliqua Baker
  • Yucca gloriosa f. obliqua (Harworth)Voss
  • Yucca gloriosa f. acuminata (Sweet)Voss
  • Yucca gloriosa f. pruinosa (Baker)Voss
  • Yucca gloriosa f. tortulata (Baker)Voss
  • Yucca gloriosa' var. medio-striata Planchon
  • Yucca gloriosa var. robusta Carr.
  • Yucca gloriosa var. nobilis Carr.
  • Yucca gloriosa f. planifolia Engelmann
  • Yucca gloriosa var. plicata Engelmann
  • Yucca gloriosa var. genuina Engelmann
  • Yucca gloriosa var. flexilis Trelease
  • Yucca gloriosa var. plicata Carr.
  • Yucca gloriosa var. superba Baker
  • Yucca gloriosa var. longifolia Carr.
  • Yucca gloriosa var. muculata Carr.
  • Yucca pendula Sieber ex Carr.
  • Yucca pattens Andre
  • Yucca pruinosa Baker

The plant is known to grow to heights above 5 m (16 feet).[1] It has bluish-green foliage. The plant blooms in mid to late Summer, producing creamy - white flowers. It is similar to the Spanish bayonet, another plant of the same family.[2] The Spanish Dagger is an evergreen shrub.

[edit] Distribution

Southeast USA: coast and islands of southern North Carolina,, southwards to South Carolina, through Georgia and northern Florida, on sand dunes. Associated with Yucca filamentosa, Yucca aloifolia, Opuntia spp.

[edit] Cultivation

The plant is known to thrive as a domestic plant [3] and is sold internationally. In a domestic environment, the plant has average water requirements, and little maintenance is needed other than the removal of dead leaves when the shrub nears its ultimate height.[4] The plant has been seen to suffer leaf damage at temperatures below 4 °C (40°F).[4]

[edit] Properties

The Spanish Dagger has been known to cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions upon contact. The leaf points are even sharp enough to break the skin.[2]

[edit] Origin

The Spanish Dagger is native to various warm temperate areas of the US, anywhere between Maryland and Florida.[4] Representatives material studied: Georgia, Tybee Island, fh 1183.15, Lake Sinclair area, fh 1183.16. South Carolina, Pine Island, fh 1183.17, Myrtle Beach, fh 1184.1. fh: Fieldnumber Fritz Hochstätter.

It grows in Europe:

[edit] References

  1. ^ bss.sfsu.edu. Retrieved on 1 March, 2007.
  2. ^ a b hgic.clemson.edu. Retrieved on 1 March, 2007.
  3. ^ Wood, John (2006). Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flower. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. 
  4. ^ a b c cals.arizona.edu. Retrieved on 1 March, 2007.
  5. ^ Dave's Garden.com. Retrieved on 1 March, 2007.

[edit] External links