Soaptree Yucca

Yucca elata

Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)

Soaptree, Soapweed Yucca, Palmilla, Palmella, Amole

Courtesy: Anderson, Wynn, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=86788

Courtesy: Cliffe, Harry, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=25209

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Grassland

Chihuahuan Deserts

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Transplanting is almost impossible due to large tap root. If it is too large, it can be cut off at ground level and it will leaf out again at the base. Needs sun and good drainage.

Comments

A evergreen, tree-like yucca with fine, gray-green to blue-green leaves with white margins. Plants resemble coarse bunchgrass when young, gradually developing several heads on trunk-like stems with age. The flowering stem is covered with clusters of creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers. The seed capsule is brown, woody. Growth is extremely slow, about 1″ (2.5 cm) in height a year. The local name “Palmilla,” Spanish for “small palm,” refers to the resemblance of this species to a palm. State flower of New Mexico. Larval Host: Yucca Giant.

Growth Form

Cactus & Succulent

Height

3 to

6 ft

Spread

2 to

4 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Small Mammals, Hummingbirds, Moths

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Yucca angustissima var. elata, Yucca elata var. elata, Yucca elata var. utahensis, Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Yucca utahensis, Yucca verdiensis

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski, Sally and Wasowski, Andy, Native Texas Plants, Landscaping Region by Region, 1988, 1991, pg 265. 3) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=263&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Yucca+elata&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=YUEL 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=43139#null

Native Plant Society of Texas