Adam's needle
Yucca flaccida

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 5-10 m high. It spreads 5-10 m wide. It has dead leaves which persist hanging on the stem. The new leaves are dark bluish-green and flexible. They are narrowly sword shaped. They are 55 cm long and have sharp tips. There are yellow teeth along the edge. These end in straight threads. The flowers are creamy white. They are on cylinder shaped heads.

There are about 40 Yucca species. Also put in the family Agavaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Egypt, Europe, North Africa, North America, South America, Turkey, Türkiye, USA

How it is used for food

The flowers can be eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Yucca concava Haw.; Yucca exigua Baker; Yucca filifera Chadaub.; Yucca smalliana Fernald; and others