Giant Yucca
Yucca elephantipes

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 8 m tall. It has a single trunk. This is thickened at the base. It spreads 3 m wide. The leaves are stiff and pointed. They are less than 1 m long. The flowering shoot is at the end of the plant. It is about 60 cm long and has branches with many small with flowers. The fruit is a fleshy capsule about 8 cm long. The flesh is green or white with many seeds. The seeds are small and black.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Belize, Central America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hawaii, Indonesia, Mexico, North America, Pacific, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The pod-like fruit is cooked and eaten. The bitter anthers and ovaries are removed then the flower dipped in egg batter and herbs and fried. The tender stem tips are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, pods, flowers, shoots

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds or by cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bulbstem yucca, Itabo, Izote, Prstasta juka, Spineless Yucca, Yuka raksasa

Synonyms

Yucca guatemalensis;