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

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Spanish dagger, moundlily yucca

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Yucca gloriosa

Family:

Agavaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

2-3 (8) ft tall by 2-3 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

green

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant. Forms a large rosette of spine-tipped leaves. Flower stalks rise to 6-8 ft.

Considerations:

Spine-tipped leave are very sharp.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Stem cuttings, rhizomes, seed.

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Not wet but not extremely dry ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars

Pollinated by moths though hummingbirds may be attracted to the nectar.  Larval host plant for cofaqui giant skipper ( Megathymus cofaqui ) and yucca giant skipper ( Megathymus yuccae ) butterflies.  





Nectar plant for great southern white ( Ascia monuste ) and other butterflies.





Pollinated by yucca moths. 

Provides wildlife cover





 

Native Habitats:

Cultivated. Dry sites.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruit and flowers are edible.

General Comments: