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Yucca or Adam's Needle
Yucca Spp.
including Yucca flaccida
Identification
Resembling
a succulent or desert plant, yucca leaves are all basal; originating
from ground level and around 20 inches in length. They are thick,
linear, fleshy, and spine tipped. The flowers appear in early summer
and are borne on a tall flowering spike with branched
inflorescences. The flowers are creamy white in color with six
petals. The fruit is a two to three inch capsule that dries and
splits open to reveal numerous flat, shiny seeds.
Origin
Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico
Habitat
Tolerates almost all moisture conditions, as long as at least
partial sunshine is available. In its natural environment, it
tolerates extreme drought conditions. Prefers open areas. Although
some species have been found to need a certain species of moth for
pollination, some species set large amounts of viable seed which
spread the plant to outlying areas.
Ecological Threat
Still planted widely in our area as an ornamental, yucca can spread
slowly and deliberately and take over natural areas needed by native
plants. The stiff leaves and dry fruits produce no food for
wildlife. Being a desert plant in its natural environment, yucca can
grow in poor soil and drought conditions and spread while other
plants struggle to survive. Once yucca plants are established in an
area, mechanical removal is almost impossible because of the deep
taproot that must be completely removed to stop resprouting. They
are resistant to herbicides as well because of their thick walled,
fleshy leaves.
Recommended Native Alternatives
-
Black cohosh (Actaea
racemosa)
-
Goats beard (Aruncus
dioicus)
-
Lily of the
Valley (Convallaria majalis var. montana)
These pages are designed to give the
layperson a general overview of non-native invasive plants commonly
found in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. For more comprehensive
and technical information about a particular species, visit one of
the web sites from our
Links
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