Yucca

DESCRIPTION: The species Yucca Glauca, commonly known as soapweed or soapwell, is a perennial shrub that grows to be about one foot tall (Yucca). It grows in a stalk with narrow, linear leaves and has white bell-shaped flowers with black fruit and large black seeds (Logan). Yuccas grow in dry plains, sandy hills, and rocky soils in the spring and summer and are native to the western United States (Logan). The dried leaves of Yucca Glauca are used for making baskets, sandals, ropes, and other rough textiles and can be harvested all year round (Logan). The fruits, seeds, and flowers are eaten raw, boiled, roasted, or baked into a paste and can be harvested during the spring, summer, and fall (Logan). The roots can be used to make soap and a laxative and are harvested in the spring. The Yucca Glauca also has many medical uses: anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, and is used to cure arthritis, rheumatism, skin diseases, dandruff, and baldness (Logan). Yucca Glauca is also used to stop bleeding and purify blood.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Logan, Neil. 2002. Yucca Glauca. Ethnoecology database of the Greater South West. Electronic Document. http://anthro.fortlewis.edu/ethnobotany/Dbase/Compilation/Compilation_Repit.asp?plant_ID=22
Yucca Glauca. 2003. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services plants profile. Electronic Document. http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=YUGL accessed on 3/4/2003

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This page was authored by Megan Mullen