Kingdom Plantae Clade Monocots Family Asparagaceae Rank Species | Clade Angiosperms Order Asparagales Subfamily Agavoideae | |
![]() | ||
Similar Yucca jaliscensis, Yucca grandiflora, Yucca capensis, Yucca treculiana, Yucca yucatana |
Yucca lacandonica is a plant species with the common name "tropical yucca." It is native to Belize and to southern Mexico, the states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Yucatán. It is unique in the genus, the only epiphytic species in the group, although it has been reported to grow terrestrially as well.
Yucca lacandonica is an Epiphyte usually growing in tree branches about 20-25 m above the ground. It has a trunk up to 3 m long, 25 cm wide at the base, partially horizontal. Leaves are long and narrowly lanceolate, tapering at both ends, up to 85 cm long, about 5 cm wide at the widest point. Flowers are white, up to 7 cm across, with tepals narrowing to a long point at the tip. Stamens and pistils are cream-colored. Fruit juicy, elongated, up to 10 cm long.