Yucca angustissima Engelm. ex Trel.

By Ammon Wilhelm Native Plants 2003

Common names: Narrowleaf yucca

Family: Agavaceae

Etymology: Yucca comes from the carrib word meaning cassava because of its enlarged root. Angustissima is latin for narrow or thin referring to the leaves.

Identification

Growth form: Woody shrub with rosette of leaves growing at ground level.

Roots: Single taproot extending straight down.

Stem: none

Leaves: Narrow supple spike tipped leaves. Leaves have marginal fibers.

Inflorescence/flowers: Clustered on a stalk to 20’, 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. Leaf fibers also used like thread for sewing

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.

Yucca angustissima Engelm. ex Trel. By Ammon Wilhelm Native Plants 2003 Common names: Narrowleaf yucca Family: Agavaceae Etymology: Yucca comes from the carrib word meaning cassava because of its enlarged root. Angustissima is latin for narrow or thin referring to the leaves. Identification Growth form: Woody shrub with rosette of leaves growing at ground level. Roots: Single taproot extending straight down. Stem: none Leaves: Narrow supple spike tipped leaves. Leaves have marginal fibers. Inflorescence/flowers: Clustered on a stalk to 20’, 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. Leaf fibers also used like thread for sewing 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.