Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Mark Hutchinson, Hernando Chapter, FNPS
Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Adam's needle, beargrass

Synonym(s):

Yucca smalliana

Genus species:

Yucca filamentosa

Family:

Agavaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

3-8 (12) ft tall by 3-4 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

green

Phenology:

Evergreen, blooms early summer. Life span less than 50 yrs. (Nelson 2003).

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant. Low hedge.

Considerations:

The leaves have hard, sharp points.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed or cuttings.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Acidic to neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Hummingbirds

Larval host plant for cofaqui giant skipper ( Megathymus cofaqui ) and yucca giant skipper ( Megathymus yuccae ) butterflies. 





Pollinated by yucca moths.

  Provides wildlife cover

Native Habitats:

Dry sites. Scrub, scrubby flatwoods.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Yucca fruit can be cooked and eaten after the seeds are removed; the large petals are used in salads. Fibrous leaves were pulled apart and used for making rope or twine.

General Comments:

Leaves have sharp spiny tips.