Palma barreta
Yucca carnerosana

Family: Asparagaceae

What it is like

A tree. It develops a trunk 1.5-6 m high. It has a ring of long narrow leaves. The leaves are dark dull green and 60-110 cm long and 6-8 cm wide and 4-8 mm thick. They end in a sharp point. The flower stalk is 1 m long. The flowers are cream white. It can flower twice a year. The fruit grow along the upper part of the flower stalk.

The leaves are used for fibre. Also put in the family Agavaceae.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows up to 3,000 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The flowers (with the gynoecium and androecium) are cooked and eaten. The young flower clusters are eaten, boiled or roasted.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or vegetatively. The plant is used as a hedge or live fence.

Plants can live for 50-75 years.

Its other names

Local names

Palma barreta, Palma loca, Palma pita

Synonyms

Samuela carnerosana Trel.;