Our Lord's candle
Hesperoyucca whipplei

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A stemless yucca plant. It grows 0.9 m high and spreads 1.2 m wide. The leaves form a spiked narrow grey-blue ring. They have spiny tips and fine teeth along the edge. The flowers form clusters 3 m high. The flowers are small and white and hang down. They can have green or purple tips.

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

Where it is found

A less hardy plant. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Britain, Central America, Europe, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The stems are eaten raw or roasted. The flowers are boiled and eaten. The seeds are ground into flour.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit, seeds, stem

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chaparral yucca, Quiote, Spanish bayonet

Synonyms

Yucca californica Groenl.; Yucca engelmannii Mast.; Yucca whipplei Torr.; and others