Description
Caulescent, 0.5-2.5 m tall, usually with several stems from the base, base thickened in adult specimens, branched above, rhizomatous, leaves straight, very stiff, 0.3-0.5 m long, 2-3.5 cm wide, dark green, light grey-green, margins entire, smooth, rarely fine denticulate, acuminate, with a sharp, brown, terminal spine, underside smooth. Inflorescence paniculate, 0.6-1.5 m tall, partially inferior to the leaves, flowers campanulate to elongate, numerous, pendulous, white, sometimes tinged purple or red, 3.5 cm long, fruits green, when ripe brownish, indehiscent, 5–8 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, obovate, seeds black, thickened.
Yucca gloriosa grows on sand dunes along the coast and barrier islands of the southeastern USA, often together with Yucca aloifolia and a variety formerly called Yucca recurvifolia or Y. gloriosa var. recurvifolia, now Y. gloriosa var. tristis. In contrast to Y. gloriosa var. tristis, the leaves of Y. gloriosa var. gloriosa are hard stiff, erect and narrower. On the other hand, Y. aloifolia has leaves with denticulate margins and a sharp-pointed, terminal spine.
In collections in Europe and overseas, there are many forms and hybrids (Sprenger, Förster) from the 18th and 19th centuries. The following names have been used for material of uncertain origin in the European garden flora.
- Yucca gloriosa var. minor Carr.
- Yucca gloriosa var. obliqua Baker
- Yucca gloriosa f. obliqua (Harworth)Voss
- Yucca gloriosa f. acuminata (Sweet)Voss
- Yucca gloriosa f. pruinosa (Baker)Voss
- Yucca gloriosa f. tortulata (Baker)Voss
- Yucca gloriosa' var. medio-striata Planchon
- Yucca gloriosa var. robusta Carr.
- Yucca gloriosa var. nobilis Carr.
- Yucca gloriosa f. planifolia Engelmann
- Yucca gloriosa var. plicata Engelmann
- Yucca gloriosa var. genuina Engelmann
- Yucca gloriosa var. flexilis Trelease
- Yucca gloriosa var. plicata Carr.
- Yucca gloriosa var. superba Baker
- Yucca gloriosa var. longifolia Carr.
- Yucca gloriosa var. muculata Carr.
- Yucca pendula Sieber ex Carr.
- Yucca pattens Andre
- Yucca pruinosa Baker
The plant is known to grow to heights above 5 m (16 feet).
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