This species is closely related to Yucca aloifolia[].

Common Name: Spanish Dagger

General Information

Yucca gloriosa is an evergreen shrubby plant growing 2.5 metres or more tall. The stems can be unbranched or, more commonly, branched, each plant eventually producing a clump of stems[].
The plant is cultivated as a fibre crop and medicinal plant in Central America, S France (Mediterranean coast), Algeria, India and on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. It is planted as a living fence in Cuba and is also frequently cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics, subtropics and the warm-temperate zone[].
Yucca gloriosa has a wide range and is locally abundant. Even though its habitat and population are experiencing some decline, currently this does not occur at a rate to trigger a threat category. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

The roots contain saponins[]. Whilst saponins are quite toxic to people, they are poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass straight through. They are also destroyed by prolonged heat, such as slow baking in an oven. Saponins are found in many common foods such as beans[]. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[].

Botanical References

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Range

South-eastern N. America - coastal regions of Louisiana, Missisippi, Alabama, north Florida, Georgia, South Carolina

Habitat

Coastal dunes and sandy soils of coastal plains[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Moth
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Yucca gloriosa is a plant of the warm temperate to subtropical zones of southeastern N. America, though it is also often cultivated in the tropics, where it can succeed down to sea level. Plants can tolerate short-lived temperatures down to about -15°c so long as long as the climate is dry[]. According to another report, the plants can tolerate occasional dips to -25°c[], but the plants are very subject to injury and decay if the winter is damp or there is lying wet snow[].
Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the sun[]. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[]. Judging by its native habitat, this plant should tolerate maritime exposure[], though it does not like cold, drying winds[].
A very ornamental plant[], there are some named varieties[].
Plants do not flower every year, requiring hot summers to initiate flowering[]. The flowers are produced in the autumn and are often damaged by early frosts[]. The scent of the flowers is most pronounced at night[].
In the plants native environment, its flowers can only be pollinated by a certain species of moth. In areas where this moth does not live, and if fruit and seed are required, then hand pollination is necessary. This can be quite easily and successfully done using something like a small paint brush.
Individual crowns of the plant are monocarpic, dying after flowering[]. However, the crown will usually produce a number of sideshoots before it dies and these will grow on to flower and then die in later years[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[]

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is up to 10cm long and 26mm wide[]. The fruit is very rarely produced in the wild[].

Flowers - raw or cooked. They are delicious raw, and can also be dried, crushed and used as a flavouring[].

Flowering stem - cooked and used like asparagus[].

Root - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and made into a bread[].
The rhizomes are used for the production of 'Costa Rica arrowroot'[].

Medicinal

The fruit is purgative[]. The fruit has a laxative effect[].

The plant is cultivated for the production of steroids in the Crimea and the Caucasus regions[].
Many compounds from yucca have been used in the synthesis of new drugs[].

The root is detergent[].
The roots are antiinflammatory, antitumor, antiviral[].
The roots of Yucca species are rich in saponins and medicinally active compounds. The roots, harvested when the plant is not in flower, are used to make a health-promoting drink. It has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, to lower blood pressure and to reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis such as pain, swelling and stiffness. Yucca schidigera seems to be the species most often quoted, though all species contain the saponins[, ].
Taken orally, the root is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, hypertension, migraine headaches, colitis, stomach disorders, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, poor circulation, and liver and gallbladder disorders[].
Applied topically, it is used to treat sores, skin diseases, inflammation, bleeding, sprains, broken limbs, joint pain, baldness, and dandruff[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is grown as a living fence in Cuba[].

Other Uses

A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making cloth, ropes, baskets and mats[, , , ].

The roots are rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute[].
The juice of the plant has a wide variety of uses. In agriculture it is used as a base in liquid fertilizers where its ability to reduce surface tension of irrigation water greatly assists penetration in heavy soils; it assists in soil flocculation to a marked degree; it serves as a carrying agent for the plant-food chemicals[]. The yucca extract itself is rich in the vital minor elements including boron, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc[].
The juice is said to be widely used as a carbon dioxide stabilizer in the control of oil fires, and saponin from yucca is considered a good base for soaps, shampoos, cleansing powders, and tooth pastes and powders[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. Sow in containers in a lightly shaded position. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Root cuttings. Lift the plant and remove small buds from the base of the stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wood ashes to stop any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots until established[].

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