Yucca grandiflora

Botanical Description

Yucca grandiflora is an evergreen, succulent, tree-like perennial plant. It produces a main stem 3 - 4 metres high that branches from the base and also near the top, a rosette of leaves is produced at the end of each stem with indiividual leaves 70 - 100cm long and 4 - 5cm wide[ 1840 Title A New Yucca from Sonora Publication Madrono, Vol 14, pp 51-53 1957-1958 Author Gentry H.S. Publisher Year 1957 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of fibre.. The leaves are of potential value to the pharmaceutical industry and the plant is used as an ornamental. Yucca grandiflora is cultivated in Tucson, southern Arizona and the fruits ('datilillo') are used for human consumption[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ] (This suggests, but does not specifically state, that the plant is cultivated for its fruit[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].) Yucca grandiflora is scattered where it occurs, with very low population densities and a low reproduction rate. However, it has a wide distribution range and occurs in some isolated areas of difficult access and relatively secure from disturbance. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].