Yucca elata (Engelm.) Engelm.

 

By Ammon Wilhelm Native Plants 2003
Common names: Soaptree yucca,
Family: Agavaceae
Etymology: Yucca comes from the carrib word meaning cassava because of its enlarged root.  Elata is latin for tall, exalted, or high.  

Identification
Growth form: Woody shrub with rosette of leaves growing on top of a woody trunk.
Roots: Single taproot extending straight down.
Stem: Continues growing as plant ages. Can be up to 23’ tall
Leaves: Narrow supple spike tipped leaves. Leaves have marginal fibers.
Inflorescence/flowers: Clustered on a stalk to30’, large white flowers with 6 anthers and 6 petals
Fruit: medium sized somewhat dry cucumber like fruit
Similar species: compare to Yucca baccata, Yucca angustisima. For reference compare all nine yucca species in Arizona.  

Ecology
Life History: long lived perennial
Native/introduced: native
Photosynthetic pathway: CAM photosynthesis
Phenology: Blooms between May and June
Distribution: 1500-6000 ft Mostly in desert grassland of arizona

Uses: Fruits are eaten. Flowers and buds eaten. Young stems also roasted and eaten.  Roots used to make soap. The leaves are used in Tohono O’odham basket weaving.

Ecology: Yuccas are part of a close symbiosis with pollinating moths. The moths lay their eggs on each ovary of the flowers they pollinate. The larvae eat a few of the seeds but most of the seed develop and are viable. Each species of yucca is pollinated by a different species of moth. Both moth and yucca depend on each other for survival. If one dies off so will the other.

References:

1.       Arizona Desert Museum Press. 2000. A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert. 161-162

2.       Elmore, Francis H. 1976. Shrubs and Trees of the Southwest Uplands. 42-43.

3.       Epple, Anne Orth. 1995. A Field Guide To The Plants Of Arizona. 29-30.

4.       Gledhill, David Names of Plants 3^rd ed 2002 pg 129, 309.

5.       Kearney, Thomas H., Robert H. Peebles.1951. Arizona Flora. 185-188.