Spanish Dagger

Yucca treculeana

Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)

Spanish Bayonet, Don Quixote's Lance, Palma Pita, Palma De Datil, Palmito

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Grassland

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains

Maintenance

Remove only dead leaves; leave dead stalks so birds can get the seeds

Comments

Accent plant with tropical-looking, edible flowers. Deer-resistant. Nectar for moths; cover & food for small mammals, birds. Larval Host: Yucca giant skipper butterfly, Ursine giant skipper, Strecker’s giant skipper.

Growth Form

Cactus & Succulent

Height

13 to

15 ft

Spread

4 to

5 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

White, Red

Bloom Season

Spring, Winter

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Small Mammals, Hummingbirds, Moths

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References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=YUTR. 4) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Yucca+treculeana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 5) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=264&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=43123#null

Native Plant Society of Texas