Yucca filamentosa
Common name: 
Adam's Needle Yucca
Pronunciation: 
YUK-ah fil-a-men-TO-sa
Family: 
Liliaceae, Agavaceae
Genus: 
Yucca
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen shrub, to about 30 inches (75 cm) high, clump forming, essentially stemless.   Leaves stiffly erect to spreading, 45 cm long, about 5 cm wide, tapering, margin has long, loose fibers but it is in rolled near the spiny tip, dark green above.  Flowers are yellowish-white, 5-7 cm wide, in narrow, long, spike-like clusters (panicles), 2 m or more in height.  Fruit is oblong, about 4 by 2 cm, containing dull black, thin seeds, 6 mm diam.
  • Sun to part shade, not particular about soil, drought resistant.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4  (Yes, it can grow in Minnesota!)    Native to the southeastern US, from Maryland to Tennessee and south to Florida and Louisiana.  'Golden Sword' is a variegated selection.
  • filamentosa: with treads or filament, here on the leaf margin
  • Oregon State University campus: southwest Administration buildling of College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (near Orchard Ave. and 26th St.)
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  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves

    leaves

  • plant habit, start of flowering

    plant habit, start of flowering

  • developing flower spike

    developing flower spike

  • plant habit, early flowering

    plant habit, early flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flower spikes

    flower spikes

  • flower clusters and flowers

    flower clusters and flowers