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Yucca aloifolia
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Common Name: | Spanish Bayonet, Dagger Plant, Aloe Yucca, Spanish Dagger |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Fountain (Palm-like) |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m to 6.1 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1.2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern USA, Caribbean Islands, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Sandy Beach) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Succulent plant with a single stem or lightly branched, up to 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Linear leaves are spirally arranged in a dense cluster. Flat or slightly concave leaves have a sharply toothed leaf margin and a sharp terminal spine. |
| Flowers | White, bell-shaped flowers with purple or green tints (2.5-3.2 cm long, 0.8-1.3 cm wide) hang down from a branched inflorescence known as a panicle (0.3-0.5 m long, 15-25 cm wide). The lower quarter to half of the inflorescence is positioned within the cluster of leaves. |
| Fruit | Dark green fruits (3.8-5 cm long) are purplish to black on the inside. |
| Habitat | Occurs in coastal areas, especially on sand dunes. |
| Similar | The species is similar to Yucca gloriosa, but the former has a sharp terminal spine, while the latter does not. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline, Flowerbed / Border |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Root Cutting, Sucker |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Waxy |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Individual Flower Shape | Campaulate / Bell-shaped |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1271 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2564 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
