Clade Monocots Rank Species | Clade Angiosperms Subfamily Agavoideae Higher classification Yucca | |
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Similar Yucca, Yucca filamentosa, Yucca aloifolia, Yucca gloriosa var tristis, Yucca rostrata | ||
Yucca gloriosa variegata variegated spanish dagger at big plant nursery in west sussex uk
Yucca gloriosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to the beach scrub and sandy lowlands of the southeastern United States, from the Outer Banks of Virginia and North Carolina to Florida and Alabama. It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental and reportedly has become established in the wild in Italy, Turkey, Mauritius, Réunion, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.
Contents
- Yucca gloriosa variegata variegated spanish dagger at big plant nursery in west sussex uk
- Yucca gloriosa variegate the evergreen flowering plant
- Description
- Habitat
- Distribution
- Cultivation
- Properties
- Forms and varieties
- References
Common names include:-
Yucca gloriosa variegate the evergreen flowering plant
Description
Yucca gloriosa is an evergreen shrub. The plant is known to grow to heights above 5 m (16 feet). It is caulescent, usually with several stems arising from the base, the base thickening in adult specimens. The long narrow leaves are straight and very stiff, growing to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) long and 2-3.5 cm wide. They are dark green with entire margins, smooth, rarely finely denticulate, acuminate, with a sharp brown terminal spine. Inflorescence is a panicle up to 2.5 m (8 ft) long, of bell-shaped white flowers, sometimes tinged purple or red. Fruit is a leathery, elongate berry up to 8 cm long.
Habitat
Yucca gloriosa grows on sand dunes along the coast and barrier islands of the subtropical southeastern USA, often together with Yucca aloifolia and a variety formerly called Yucca recurvifolia or Y. gloriosa var. recurvifolia, now Y. gloriosa var. tristis. In contrast to Y. gloriosa var. tristis, the leaves of Y. gloriosa var. gloriosa are hard stiff, erect and narrower. On the other hand, Y. aloifolia has leaves with denticulate margins and a sharp-pointed, terminal spine.
Distribution
Yucca gloriosa is native to the coast and barrier islands of southeastern North America, growing on sand dunes. It ranges from extreme southeastern Virginia south to northern Florida. It is associated with Yucca filamentosa, Yucca aloifolia, and Opuntia species.
Cultivation
The plant is widely cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical climates, and valued as an architectural focal point. 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. The plant is very hardy, without leaf damage at −20 °C (−4 °F), and can handle occasional snow and freezing temperatures.
Yucca gloriosa and the cultivar 'Variegata' have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Properties
Yucca gloriosa has been known to cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions upon contact. The leaf points are even sharp enough to break the skin.
Forms and varieties
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.