Yucca elata
Yucca elata subsp. utahensis in Southern Utah.
The soap yucca (Yucca elata ) is a plant of the genus yucca (Yucca ) in the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ).
Description
The stemless or stem -forming growing species reaches a stature height of 0.3 to 4.5 meters. The variable and flexible fibrous leaves are 30 to 90 inches long and pale green. They are near the center of the widest. The leaf margin is entire, and wavy; at the blade tip is a short spike.
The branched Rispige inflorescence reaches a height of about 4 meters. The hermaphrodite, hanging flowers are bell-shaped and threefold. The six equal multiform bracts are white to cream-colored. The stamens are 1.5 to 2.5 inches long, the anthers about 2.5 to 4.8 millimeters. The upright capsule fruits are about 4 to 8 inches tall and contain thin, matt black seeds, which are about 7 to 11 millimeters in size.
Dissemination
The soap yucca and its subspecies are common in desert areas of southern Utah, southern Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas and northern Mexico. They grow on sandy soils at altitudes 850-2000 m, where they are associated with other Yucca species Yucca faxoniana, Yucca baccata, Yucca arizonica, Yucca schottii and Yucca torreyi, various species of agave, Sclerocactus parviflorus, Toumeya papyracantha and other plant species.
System
The first description by the American botanist George Engelmann was published in 1882. Other synonyms for the type Yucca angustifolia var radiosa Engelm. , Yucca elata Engelm angustifolia var. and Yucca radiosa ( Engelm. ) Trelease.
The type Yucca elata is placed in the section Chaenocarpa and is in the glaucae series within the genus Yucca. There are three subspecies:
- Yucca elata subsp. elata
- Yucca elata subsp. utahensis
- Yucca elata subsp. verdiensis
Use
The soap yucca owes its name to the soap raw material from the roots and stems, which is used as a soap substitute. Native Indians used the leaves to weave baskets from it. Beaten stems and leaves serve as Notfutter to save the livestock in drought situations from dying of thirst.
Culture
The soap yucca is hardy in Central Europe, in the U.S. state of Washington and British Columbia, Canada. Yucca elata is cultivated without any protection in Mannheim in the collection of F. Hochstätter for 25 years. In rainy areas all subspecies need a moisture protection during the winter months.
Pictures
Yucca elata:
In Full Bloom
Copy in White Sands, New Mexico
20 years old copy in Mannheim, Germany, hardy
30 years old specimen with 5 m high inflorescence in August 2004 after the summer of 2003 in Mannheim, Germany
Yucca elata subsp. verdiensis in Central Arizona
Blooming copy
Copy in White Sands, New Mexico