- Yucca guatemalensis
Taxobox
name = "Yucca guatemalensis"
image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum =Plant ae
divisio =Magnoliophyta
classis =Liliopsida
ordo =Asparagales
familia =Agavaceae
genus = "Yucca "
species = "Y. guatemalensis"
binomial = "Yucca guatemalensis"
binomial_authority = Baker
synonyms="Yucca elephantipes"Regel "Yucca guatemalensis" (syn "Yucca elephantipes") , is the tallest of the "
Yucca " species of the familyAgavaceae . Common names for this species include spineless yucca, soft-tip yucca, blue-stem yucca and giant yucca. It is native toMexico ,Belize ,Costa Rica ,Guatemala andHonduras .cite web | url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?411390 | title=Taxon: "Yucca guatemalensis" Baker | accessdate=2008-02-06 | work=Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area]Description
Although it can grow up to 9 metres in height, with a spread to 4.5 metres, it is usually less than 6 metres in height. It may have a thick, single trunk or be mulitrunked resulting from growth from the base.cite web|author=Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson|url=http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/YUCELEA.pdf|title="Yucca elephantipes"|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service|accessdate=2008-02-06] The leaves are strap-like, spineless and up to 1.2 metres in length.White flowers are produced in the summer, followed by brown, fleshy fruits which are oval and up to 2.5 cm in length.
Cultivation
The species can be grown in a variety of soils and is drought-tolerant. Young plants are used as potted specimens, and may be used as an
house plant . "Yucca guatemalensis" may be subject to a number of pests includingscale , "Yucca" moth borers, andblack weevil s. Plants are subject toroot rot if overwatered.Leaf spot may affect leaf appearance, but does not otherwise health of the plant. Propagation is by suckers, cuttings or seed.Cultivars
A number of
cultivar s have been released including:
* 'Artola Gold' cite web|title=Yuccas|url=http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s4245.htm|publisher=ABC|accessdate=2008-02-06]
*'Jewel'
*'Puck' cite web|title=Yucca|url=http://www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/plantfinder2.asp?crit=yucca&Genus=Yucca|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|accessdate=2008-02-06]
* 'Silver Star', a variegated formReferences
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