Yuccas are belong to Asparagaceae family (formerly Agavaceae). They can be evergreen perennials, shrubs or trees, with dense or loose rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall panicles of bell-shaped flowers. There are about 40 species and 30 subspecies of yucca, all of them are belong to New World. Although they live in tropics and subtropics, many of them are very hardy and some withstand -30°C.

Yucca baccata is belong to Asparagus Family “Asparagaceae” generally described as a perennial shrub. Datil Yucca is a common species of yucca, native to the deserts of the southwestern United States (California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah) and northwestern Mexico. It is also seen in the wild in Colombia.

Yuck-ka is a Caribbean name for the cassava plant, which originally was named Yucca gloriosa. The specific epithet “baccata” means “fruited,” refering to the plant’s large fruits. Yucca Baccata is also called Banana Yucca, gets its common name from its banana shaped large fruits. In wet years, when many yuccas bloom over the landscape, they resemble large snowy-white candles, so the plants also be called “Our Lord’s Candles” as well.

Yucca baccata is recognized by having 40–100 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, grey-green leaves and short or non existent trunks. It flowers in the spring, starting in March to July. Leaves are retained year to year. The Banana Yucca has a short life span relative to most other plant species and a moderate growth rate. At maturity, the typical plant will reach up to 150-200 cm high, and 500cm wide.

Yucca baccata has very short stems, which may occur singly or clumped together. Leaves are arranged spirally at the base of the stem. Individual white fibers along the leaf margins tend to curl. The flower stalk is 80–120 cm high, rise above the leaves. Bell-shaped flowers, which grow in thick clusters during the spring, are creamy white in color. Each flower has six perianth segments and three stigmas on a stout pistil. The fruits are large, 10-20 cm long, and fleshy at maturity. The pods contain flat, blackish seeds.

Banana Yucca is hardy to -29°C, likes full sun to light shade, it is very tolerant to neglect, does not need much water. Propagation is done by seeds or dividing offsets.

The native American’s at Southwest USA utilized the Banana Yucca for food. The fleshy fruits were eaten green or dried and stored for winter consumption. The young flower stalks were also eaten, like asparagus. From the yucca leaf came fibers to make cordage. These were used for belts, rope ladders, fishnets, mats, sandal, clothing and baskets. The saponin-rich roots create a soap like lather which can be used in cleaning.

The nocturnal yucca, or pronuba moth has a special relationship with the yucca, so special, in fact, that there is a specific pollinating moth species for each yucca species. The moth rolls pollen into a small ball and transfers it from plant to plant. While pollinating the flower, the female lays her eggs in the plant’s ovary.

Landscape Usage: Low clumping accent plant in well draining soil, full or part shade. Specially used in rock gardens, and dry gardens.