Can anyone ID Yucca? (manure, south, leaf, plant)

[momof2dfw]

Is your friend trying to use the propane to get rid of his yucca? Burning it to the ground MIGHT be the only way to get rid of those darn things. While they look great is some elements they are one plant to STRONGLY think about long and hard before planting it. You can't just dig it up and get rid of it. They are VERY hardy.

Had one in our yard growing up and the previous homeowner planted it right at the edge of the sidewalk at the front porch. Fine while it is a young plant but as it grows not a great idea. You had to swing wide when walking past it or risk getting cut to pieces. I believe it took my parents several years to finally get rid of that thing after trying to kill it, dig it up, pulling it out w/ a chain, cutting it down, etc.

[Steve-o]

Well, Im not really planning on planting any in the ground. How do they do in large pots? I know nothing about them, but am very intruiged by their harsh beauty, especially when theyre in bloom.

Im trying to ID the yucca in the first pic I posted. I see them all over the place and I cant ID them. Im about to start knocking on doors and asking the owners what they are and where they got them. hahaha

[jimboburnsy]

Steve-O:

I think that's actually a Yucca Glauca or "Soapweed."

http://www.opsu.edu/UnivSchools/ScienceMathNurs/PlantsGrassh/plants/pasturebig/yucca6_1_76.jpg (broken link)
http://www.opsu.edu/UnivSchools/ScienceMathNurs/PlantsGrassh/plants/pasturebig/yucca6_1_76.jpg (broken link)


http://www.opsu.edu/UnivSchools/ScienceMathNurs/PlantsGrassh/plants/pasturebig/yucca6_1_104.jpg (broken link)
Google Image Result for http://www.opsu.edu/UnivSchools/ScienceMathNurs/PlantsGrassh/plants/pasturebig/yucca6_1_76.jpg

[Steve-o]

Thanks Jim!

The needles are much thicker than the Y. glauca though. I have seen that species shown in some guides and did notice that difference.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Thanks Jim!

The needles are much thicker than the Y. glauca though. I have seen that species shown in some guides and did notice that difference.

Shortly after posting those picks I took a second look at your photos and I feel compelled to agree that there is an appreciable difference.

I feel shame.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

Shortly after posting those picks I took a second look at your photos and I feel compelled to agree that there is an appreciable difference.

I feel shame.

Hey no prob, thanks for helping!

I really thought I had it nailed with Y. filamentosa, but others disagree?

[nitram]

Steve, I may be mistaken, but your last picture resembles the characteristics of a yucca recurvifolia. Shade of green can vary with location. recurvifolia has a tall flower stalk 3'-4'. The more mature lower leaves curving downwards is a good indication. Newer leaves will always stick straight out.
Yucca plants will grow very well in a container. The container should be slightly larger than what the potted plant rootball currently is. In winter you may want to move the pot into a more protected area when temps get 25 degrees or lower in order to not freeze the rootball.
The last picture definitely is not a alofolia or filimentosa. Filimentosa is more erect and not as dense foilage. Alofolia is a tall multi branching light green open leaf plant.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by nitram

Steve, I may be mistaken, but your last picture resembles the characteristics of a yucca recurvifolia. Shade of green can vary with location. recurvifolia has a tall flower stalk 3'-4'. The more mature lower leaves curving downwards is a good indication. Newer leaves will always stick straight out.
Yucca plants will grow very well in a container. The container should be slightly larger than what the potted plant rootball currently is. In winter you may want to move the pot into a more protected area when temps get 25 degrees or lower in order to not freeze the rootball.
The last picture definitely is not a alofolia or filimentosa. Filimentosa is more erect and not as dense foilage. Alofolia is a tall multi branching light green open leaf plant.

Thanks nitram! Ill have to go back to my friends' house and see if there is any kind of bloom, there wasnt anything present when I last saw them (early spring last year). Was the plant perhaps a "juvenile" that hadnt developed the flower stalk yet? And do the stalks re-grow every year, or do they simply drop their foilage and re-grow new buds when the time is right?

Sorry for all the questions! haha Id like to grow one, they look pretty, IMO. Also, the one I thought was filamentosa was the Yuccas shown in my first picture.

[nitram]

Your plant in the last picture looks like a mature plant. Yes they re-bloom every year if conditions are right. After the blooming period cut off the brown dead looking stalks. Blooms last a short time anywhere from a week or two, though some can bloom up to a month or more. Again everything depends on it's environment.
In the pot, they may or may not bloom, again depending on circumstances like not maturing enough in the pot, overwatering. People tend to overwater the plants and that will eventually cause rot. In your area, in the hot months only, maybe water thoroughly once to twice a month, cooler times once every 4-6 weeks.. Cold winters let them go into their dormancy period. They can survive easily with neglect, like cacti, they don't want to be overly pampered.

[southernnaturelover]

Spanish Bayonet is what I have, and they do hurt like heck.

Floridata: Yucca aloifolia