Yucca faxonia
(Giant Dagger Yucca)
Yucca faxonia, Dagger Flats, Big Bend National Park 0256-1
Yucca faxonia, Dagger Flats, Big Bend National Park 0256-2
Yucca faxonia, Dagger Flats, Big Bend National Park 1258
Yucca faxonia, Dagger Flats, Big Bend National Park 0265
| Scientific Name | Yucca faxonia | USDA PLANTS Symbol | YUFA |
| Common Name | Giant Dagger Yucca, Faxon Yucca | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 43119 |
| Family | Asparagaceae (Asparagus) formerly Agavaceae | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Desert habitat; rocky slopes, bluffs, plains, 2600 to 6900 ft. Plant: Solitary, erect, large, tree-like, 8 to 30 feet tall, including flower spike; usually unbranched or with 2 to 4 branches. Leaves: Erect, rigid, spine-tipped linear leaves 17 to 43 inches long and 1-1/4 to over 3 inches wide, pale green to yellow-green with curling, brownish thread-like fibers on the edges; large numbers drooping dead leaves below. Inflorescence: A very large cluster of white sometimes purple-tinged blossoms in a broadly ovoid, often branched panicle from almost 2 to more than 8 feet tall, lower portion within the foliage; many hanging, bell-shaped flowers, 1-1/2 to more than 4 inches long. Bloom Period: Late winter through spring. Fruit: Hanging, fleshy, greenish and berry-like, elongated, 1-1/2 to 5+ inches long and 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches across. References: "Little Big Bend" by Roy Morey, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, iNaturalist and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key | Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024