Yucca baccata

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Banana yucca
Yucca baccata whole.jpg
Yucca baccata at Red Rock Canyon
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Yucca
Species:
Y. baccata
Binomial name
Yucca baccata
Synonyms [3]
  • Sarcoyucca baccata (Torr.) Linding.
  • Yucca baccata f. genuina Engelm.
Yucca baccata flowers Yucca baccata close.jpg
Yucca baccata flowers

Yucca baccata (datil yucca or banana yucca, also known as Spanish bayonet and broadleaf yucca) [4] [5] is a common species of yucca native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, from southeastern California north to Utah, east to western Texas and south to Sonora and Chihuahua. It is also reported in the wild in Colombia. [6]

Contents

The species gets its common name "banana yucca" from its banana-shaped fruit. The specific epithet baccata means 'with berries'. Banana yucca is closely related to the Yucca schidigera , the Mojave yucca, with which it is interspersed where their ranges overlap; hybrids between them occur.

Description

Yucca baccata is recognized by having leaves 50–76 cm (20–30 in) long [4] with a blue-green color, and short or nonexistent trunks. It flowers in the spring, starting in April to July depending on locality (altitude), and the flowers range from 5 to 13 cm (2 to 5 in) long, in six segments, [7] white to cream-coloured with purple shades. The flower stalk is not especially tall, typically 1–1.5 m (3+12–5 ft). The seeds are rough, black, wingless, 3–8 mm (1838 in) long and wide, 1–2 mm (132332 in) thick; they ripen in 6–8 weeks. The indehiscent fleshy fruit is 8–18 cm (3–7 in) long and 6 cm (2+12 in) across, cylindrical, and tastes similar to sweet potato. [8]

Subspecies

Yucca baccata has been divided into three varieties: [9]

As of 2023 the status of these subspecies is uncertain. In Plants of the World Online (POWO) and World Flora Online only Yucca baccata var. brevifolia and the autonym are listed as accepted. [3] [10]

Several botanical synonyms are listed by POWO for each of the species recognized there. Yucca baccata var. baccata: [11]

Yucca baccata var. brevifolia: [12]

Distribution and habitat

The plant is known from the Great Basin, the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts, plus the Arizona/New Mexico Mountains ecoregion and lower, southern parts of the Rocky Mountains. It occurs primarily in the US states of Utah, California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It can be found in several habitat types including Pinyon-Juniper, desert grassland, Creosote bush scrub, sagebrush, and ponderosa pine colonies at elevations generally between 1,500 and 2,500 m (4,900 and 8,200 ft). [9]

It is associated with Yucca schidigera , Yucca brevifolia , Yucca arizonica , Yucca faxoniana , Agave utahensis , and other Agave species. It can be found among Sclerocactus , Pediocactus , Navajoa , and Toumeya species.

The plant occurs in a large area of the North American deserts and exhibits much variation across its range. Yucca baccata specimens from the higher, mountainous regions of the Rocky Mountains is winterhardy and tolerates extreme conditions.

Ecology

It is a larval host to the ursine giant skipper, yucca giant skipper, and various yucca moths (Proxodus sp.). [13] After feeding, the skippers pupate in the yucca's roots. [13]

Uses

The young flower stalks can be cooked and eaten, with the tough outer rind discarded. The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, [4] in the latter case resembling sweet potato. [7]

The Paiutes dried the fruits for use during the winter. It is still a popular food amongst Mexican Indians. [8] The flowers are often eaten by rural residents. [7]

Ancestral Puebloan peoples used the fibers derived from the leaves to create sandals and cordage, and the root was used as soap, although with less frequency than that of Yucca elata. [14]

Related Research Articles

<i>Yucca</i> Genus of flowering plants belonging to the agave and Joshua tree subfamily

Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. Its 40–50 species are notable for their rosettes of evergreen, tough, sword-shaped leaves and large terminal panicles of white or whitish flowers. They are native to the Americas and the Caribbean in a wide range of habitats, from humid rainforest and wet subtropical ecosystems to the hot and dry (arid) deserts and savanna.

<i>Yucca pallida</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca pallida, sometimes called pale yucca, is a species of yucca native to Northern Mexico and parts of the blackland prairies of northern and central Texas, and notable for its light-colored leaves that range from a pale blue-gray to sage-green in color.

<i>Yucca schidigera</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca schidigera, also known as the Mojave yucca or Spanish dagger, is a flowering plant native to the southwest deserts of North America.

<i>Yucca elata</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca elata is a perennial plant, with common names that include soaptree, soaptree yucca, soapweed, and palmella. It is native to southwestern North America, in the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Desert in the United States, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and northern Mexico. Yucca elata is widely distributed, although its population appears to be decreasing.

<i>Hesperoyucca whipplei</i> Species of flowering plant of the Hesperoyucca genus endemic to California and Baja California

Hesperoyucca whipplei, the chaparral yucca, our Lord's candle, Spanish bayonet, Quixote yucca or foothill yucca, is a species of flowering plant closely related to, and formerly usually included in, the genus Yucca. It is native to southwest communities of North America.

<i>Hesperoyucca</i> Genus of flowering plants of the Agavoideae subfamily

Hesperoyucca is a small genus of two recognized species of flowering plants closely related to, and recently split from, Yucca, which is in the century plant subfamily within the asparagus family.

<i>Yucca gloriosa</i> Species of shrub

Yucca gloriosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to the southeastern United States. Growing to 2.5 m (8 ft), it is an evergreen shrub. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental for its architectural qualities, and has reportedly become established in warmer climates in the wild in various parts of the world.

<i>Yucca gloriosa <span style="font-style:normal;">var.</span> tristis</i> Variety of flowering plant

Yucca gloriosa var. tristis, known as curve-leaf yucca, curved-leaved Spanish-dagger or pendulous yucca, is a variety of Yucca gloriosa. It is often grown as an ornamental plant, and is native to the southeastern United States, from coastal southeastern Virginia south through Florida and west to Texas. In contrast to Y. gloriosa var. tristis, the leaves of Y. gloriosa var. gloriosa are hard stiff, erect and narrower.

<i>Yucca rostrata</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca rostrata also called beaked yucca, is a tree-like plant belonging to the genus Yucca. The species is native to Texas, and the Chihuahua and Coahuila regions of Mexico. This species of Yucca occurs in areas that are arid with little annual rainfall.

<i>Yucca <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> schottii</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca × schottii is a plant species in the genus Yucca, native to southern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and the northern parts of Sonora and Chihuahua. The common names are Schott's yucca, hoary yucca, and mountain yucca. The "×" in the name indicates that this is a nothospecies, regarded as being a natural hybrid between two other species. In this case, Yucca × schottii is believed to have originated as a hybrid between Y. baccata and Y. madrensis. Yucca × schottii is firmly established and does reproduce freely in the wild.

<i>Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus</i> Species of flowering plant

Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae known by the common name rayless goldenhead. It is native to the southwestern United States, where it occurs in southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah, and Arizona.

Tegeticula antithetica is a species of moth in the family Prodoxidae. It is found in the Mojave Desert of the North American southwest, specifically southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and western Arizona.

<i>Yucca jaliscensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca jaliscensis is a Yucca species native to the highlands of southwestern Mexico. Common names for this species include Jalisco Yucca, Jalisco Soapwort, Izote Yucca. It is native to mountainous areas at about 5000 feet in the States of Jalisco, Colima and Guanajuato.

<i>Yucca declinata</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca declinata is a species of the genus Yucca, family Asparagaceae. It is known only from the vicinity of Bacanora, in the Mexican state of Sonora. Botanist Howard Scott Gentry first collected the species and mentioned it in print, noting the differences between this population and the closely related species Y. grandiflora H. S. Gentry and Y. arizonica McKelvey. He did not, however, describe it as a new species. Later examination of his descriptions and his material led to the recognition of this as a new species.

<i>Yucca angustissima</i> Species of flowering plants belonging to the agave, yucca, and Joshua tree subfamily

Yucca angustissima, the narrowleaf yucca, is a plant in the family Agavaceae, known as the "narrow-leaved yucca." It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, but grown elsewhere as an ornamental.

<i>Yucca neomexicana</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca neomexicanaWooton & Standl. is a plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to New Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma. Common name is "New Mexican Spanish bayonet." It is similar to Y. harrimaniaeTrel. but with a longer flowering stalk and white flowers.

<i>Yucca lacandonica</i> Species of epiphyte

Yucca lacandonica is a plant species in the yucca genus with the common name "tropical yucca." It is native to Belize and to southern Mexico, the states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Yucatán. It is uniquely the only epiphytic species in the genus, although it has been reported to grow terrestrially as well.

<i>Yucca baileyi</i> Species of flowering plant

Yucca baileyi is a plant in the family Agavaceae. It is native to Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado but has been cultivated elsewhere. Much of its native range is within the boundaries of the Navajo (Diné) Reservation, hence the common name "Navajo yucca." The Navajo people make extensive use of yucca fibers to make a wide assortment of useful and ceremonial items. They also use the roots as soap. It is not considered to be threatened, as it has a large range and an overall stable population.

<i>Hesperoyucca newberryi</i> Species of flowering plant

Hesperoyucca newberryi, commonly known as the Grand Canyon Quixote plant or Newberry's yucca, is a plant species endemic to Arizona. It is found only in Mohave and Coconino Counties, on the walls of canyons near the Colorado River.

References

  1. Hodgson, W.; Salywon, A.; Puente, R. (2020). "Yucca baccata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T117423066A117469947. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T117423066A117469947.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound., Bot [Emory] 221. 1859 "Plant Name Details for Yucca baccata". IPNI . Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Yucca baccata Torr". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. p. 134. ISBN   978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC   244766414.
  5. "Broadleaf Yucca | Colorado's Wildflowers". 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  6. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  7. 1 2 3 Spellenberg, Richard (2001) [1979]. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region (rev ed.). Knopf. pp. 327–328. ISBN   978-0-375-40233-3.
  8. 1 2 Whitney, Stephen (1985). Western Forests (The Audubon Society Nature Guides). New York: Knopf. p.  438. ISBN   0-394-73127-1.
  9. 1 2 "Species: Yucca baccata". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  10. WFO (2023). "Yucca baccata Torr". World Flora Online. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  11. "Yucca baccata var. baccata". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  12. "Yucca baccata var. brevifolia L.D.Benson & Darrow". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  13. 1 2 The Xerces Society (2016), Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects, Timber Press.
  14. (Organization), Archaeology Southwest (1999). Archaeology Southwest magazine : a quarterly publication of Archaeology Southwest. Archaeology Southwest. OCLC   803078100.

Further reading