Yucca baccata

Yucca baccata Torr.

by Ammon Wilhelm, Native Plants Class 2003
Common names: Datil yucca, soapweed, banana yucca
Family: Agavaceae
Synonymy: Yucca arizonica Torr. var. brevifolia (Schott ex Torr.) L. Benson & Darrow
Etymology: The epithet baccata comes from the latin for bearing bearies.

Identification
Growth form: Subshrub
Roots: The root system of winterfat consists of a long taproot (to 7 m) and lateral roots branching from the taproot. Dense, fibrous roots are present in the upper horizons of the soil. Below-ground productivity is three times greater than above ground (2).
Stem: May form small (3-5ft) trunk with age.
Leaves: long slender points; curved or U-shaped cross section across blade width; rough texture; small threads on margins; points on leaf ends(1)
Inflorescence/flowers: On spike held 2-3ft above main clump; bell-shaped flowers usually white or greenish, sometimes reddish; bloom early to mid spring. Bell-shaped flowers, which grow in thick clusters during the spring, are one and one half inches to three and one half inches long and are creamy white in color. Each flower has six perianth segments and three stigmas on a stout pistil. The fruits are large, four inches to nine inches long, and fleshy at maturity(3).
Fruit: 4-6in long, shaped like a banana; edible.
Similar species: Yucca angustissimus, Yucca elata, Yucca harrimaniae.

Ecology
Life history: long-lived perennial.
Native/introduced: Native (4).
Photosynthetic pathway:
Phenology: Bloom early to mid spring
Distribution: The datil yucca occurs in California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Mexico. It grows in pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, mountain brush and ponderosa pine communities from four thousand seven hundred and twenty five feet to six thousand six hundred and twenty feet in elevation (1).

Uses
Fiber: Used by Native Americans for weaving and rope making (1,4).
Food: A staple for many Native American tribes in the southwest.
Root: When dried and mashed it creates a soapy detergent (1).

References
1. Datil Yucca Description. http://www.desertusa.com/mag00/jun/papr/agave.html

2. Moore T. Banana Yucca. http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Yucca_baccata.html

3. Desert Tropicals Species Description. http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Yucca_baccata.html

4. McKelvey, D.S. 1974. Yuccas of the Southwestern United States. Jamaican Plane Mass. 38-48.

Yucca baccata Torr. by Ammon Wilhelm, Native Plants Class 2003 Common names: Datil yucca, soapweed, banana yucca Family: Agavaceae Synonymy: Yucca arizonica Torr. var. brevifolia (Schott ex Torr.) L. Benson & Darrow Etymology: The epithet baccata comes from the latin for bearing bearies. Identification Growth form: Subshrub Roots: The root system of winterfat consists of a long taproot (to 7 m) and lateral roots branching from the taproot. Dense, fibrous roots are present in the upper horizons of the soil. Below-ground productivity is three times greater than above ground (2). Stem: May form small (3-5ft) trunk with age. Leaves: long slender points; curved or U-shaped cross section across blade width; rough texture; small threads on margins; points on leaf ends(1) Inflorescence/flowers: On spike held 2-3ft above main clump; bell-shaped flowers usually white or greenish, sometimes reddish; bloom early to mid spring. Bell-shaped flowers, which grow in thick clusters during the spring, are one and one half inches to three and one half inches long and are creamy white in color. Each flower has six perianth segments and three stigmas on a stout pistil. The fruits are large, four inches to nine inches long, and fleshy at maturity(3). Fruit: 4-6in long, shaped like a banana; edible. Similar species: Yucca angustissimus, Yucca elata, Yucca harrimaniae. Ecology Life history: long-lived perennial. Native/introduced: Native (4). Photosynthetic pathway: Phenology: Bloom early to mid spring Distribution: The datil yucca occurs in California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Mexico. It grows in pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, mountain brush and ponderosa pine communities from four thousand seven hundred and twenty five feet to six thousand six hundred and twenty feet in elevation (1). Uses Fiber: Used by Native Americans for weaving and rope making (1,4). Food: A staple for many Native American tribes in the southwest. Root: When dried and mashed it creates a soapy detergent (1). References 1. Datil Yucca Description. http://www.desertusa.com/mag00/jun/papr/agave.html 2. Moore T. Banana Yucca. http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Yucca_baccata.html 3. Desert Tropicals Species Description. http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Yucca_baccata.html 4. McKelvey, D.S. 1974. Yuccas of the Southwestern United States. Jamaican Plane Mass. 38-48.