Engelm.
Asparagaceae
The Temperate Database is within the strategy of being up to date, with new information being added and previous ones being checked and introduced updated the place needed. This document has not but been checked and up to date.
Clistoyucca arborescens (Torr.) Trel.
Clistoyucca brevifolia (Engelm.) Rydb.
Sarcoyucca brevifolia (Engelm.) Linding.
Yucca arborescens (Torr.) Trel.
Yucca draconis arborescens Torr.
Yucca jaegeriana (McKelvey) L.W.Lenz
Widespread Title: Joshua Tree
Normal Data
Yucca brevifolia is an evergreen tree that may develop as much as 15 metres tall. It often produces a single trunk, sometimes a number of; the trunk could be unbranched, particularly when younger, usually changing into multibranched because it grows older. A rosette of spear-shaped leaves 15 – 35cm lengthy and seven – 15mm large is produced on the finish of every trunk and banch[
,
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for native use as a meals and supply of supplies. The roots of Yucca species are wealthy in saponins and have a variety of functions. The plant is usually grown as a decorative in gardens.
Recognized Hazards
The roots include saponins[
].
Though toxic, saponins even have a variety of medicinal functions and lots of saponin-rich crops are utilized in herbalism (notably as emetics, expectorants and febrifuges) or as sources of uncooked supplies for the pharmaceutical trade. Saponins are additionally present in a variety of widespread meals, corresponding to many beans.
Saponins have a fairly bitter flavour and are basically poorly absorbed by the human physique, so most go via with out hurt. They are often eliminated by fastidiously leaching in working water. Thorough cooking, and maybe altering the cooking water as soon as, can even usually take away most of them. Nonetheless, it’s not advisable to eat giant portions of uncooked meals that include saponins.
Saponins are rather more poisonous to many cold-blooded creatures, corresponding to fish, and looking tribes have historically put giant portions of them in streams, lakes and many others with the intention to stupefy or kill the fish and make them simple to catch[
].
Botanical References
Vary
South-western N. America – California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, northern Mexico
Habitat
Arid mesas and mountain slopes; often at elevations from 650 – 2,200 metres[
].
Properties
Cultivation Particulars
Yucca brevifolia is native to semi-arid areas with scorching summers and chilly winters. In such a local weather it’s identified to outlive winter temperatures falling as little as -25°c while summer time temperatures can go as excessive as 51°c[
]. It grows in areas the place annual rainfall could be as little as 100mm or as excessive as 430mm with a summer time drought of round three months[
]. The plant shall be much less hardy than this in moister climates.
Thrives in any soil however prefers a sandy loam and full publicity to the south[
]. Vegetation are hardier when they’re grown on poor sandy soils[
]. Prefers a scorching dry place[
], disliking heavy rain[
]. Established crops are very drought resistant[
]. Vegetation are tolerant of alkaline and saline soils[
].
A slow-growing plant[
].
Vegetation will usually survive fireplace – if the hearth isn’t too scorching then the crown of older crops which have shed lifeless leaves can survive; in hotter fires the plant will usually resprout from the roots[
].
The flowers of this species are malodorous[
].
Yuccas are pollinated by small, white Yucca moths (Tegeticula yucasella and associated species) with which they’ve a particular plant-insect mutualism. At evening, the aromatic flowers appeal to the feminine moth that feeds on the nectar. She then rolls pollen from the flowers right into a ball that’s thrice the dimensions of her head and carries the pollen ball to the following flower. There, she first lays eggs contained in the immature ovary after which deposits the pollen on the flower’s stigma making certain that seeds will kind to feed her progeny. As a result of the larvae mature earlier than they’re able to devour all of
the seeds (60 to 80% of the seeds stay viable), the crops are capable of reproduce as effectively[
]. In areas the place the moth can’t dwell and, if fruit and seed are required, then hand pollination is important[
]. This may be fairly simply and efficiently achieved utilizing one thing like a small paint brush.
Particular person terminal shoots are monocarpic, dying after flowering[
]. Nonetheless, the stem will then often produce a variety of sideshoots, and these will develop on to flower in later years[
,
].
Vegetation on this genus are notably immune to honey fungus[
].
Members of this genus appear to be resistant to the predations of rabbits[
]
Edible Makes use of
Flowers – cooked[
,
]. The flower buds, earlier than opening, could be parboiled in salt water to take away the bitterness, drained after which cooked once more and served like cauliflower[
]. The opened flowers are wealthy in sugar and could be roasted and eaten as sweet[
].
Fruit – cooked[
]. The fruits could be roasted then fashioned into truffles and dried for later use[
]. The ellipsoid fruits are dry and spongy, they are often 60 – 85mm lengthy[
].
Root – uncooked, boiled or roasted[
].
Seed[
]. Gathered and eaten by the native Indians[
]. No additional particulars are given, however it’s in all probability floor right into a powder and blended with cornmeal or different flours and used for making bread, truffles and many others.
Immature seedpod[
]. No extra particulars given.
Medicinal
The roots are antiinflammatory, antitumor, antiviral[
].
The roots of Yucca species are wealthy in saponins and medicinally energetic compounds. The roots, harvested when the plant isn’t in flower, are used to make a health-promoting drink. It has been proven to decrease ldl cholesterol and triglyceride ranges within the blood, to decrease blood stress and to scale back signs of osteoarthritis corresponding to ache, swelling and stiffness. Yucca schidigera appears to be the species most frequently quoted, although all species include the saponins[
,
].
Taken orally, the basis is used within the therapy of osteoarthritis, hypertension, migraine complications, colitis, abdomen issues, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, poor circulation, and liver and gallbladder issues[
].
Utilized topically, it’s used to deal with sores, pores and skin ailments, irritation, bleeding, sprains, damaged limbs, joint ache, baldness, and dandruff[
].
Many compounds from yucca have been used within the synthesis of recent medicine[
].
Different Makes use of
A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making ropes, baskets, sandals, clothes and mats[
,
,
].
The entire leaf could be woven into mats and many others and it may also be used as a paint brush[
,
].
The darkish purple core of the roots has been used as a sample materials in coiled baskets[
]. The core is break up into strands, soaked and labored in with the coiling in order that the color is at all times on the surface[
].
Crimson and black dyes have been obtained from the roots[
].
The roots are wealthy in saponins and can be utilized as a cleaning soap substitute[
,
]. It makes an excellent hair wash[
,
].
The juice of the plant has all kinds of makes use of. In agriculture it’s used as a base in liquid fertilizers the place its capability to scale back floor rigidity of irrigation water vastly assists penetration in heavy soils; it assists in soil flocculation to a marked diploma; it serves as a carrying agent for the plant-food chemical compounds[
]. The yucca extract itself is wealthy within the important minor components together with boron, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc[
].
The juice is alleged to be extensively used as a carbon dioxide stabilizer within the management of oil fires, and saponin from yucca is taken into account an excellent base for soaps, shampoos, cleaning powders, and tooth pastes and powders[
].
Wooden – mild, comfortable, spongy, tough to work[
]. The trunks had been utilized in historical cliff dwellings in Arizona[
]. The trunks are typically lower into skinny layers and used as wrapping materials, or manufactured into bins and different small articles[
].
Propagation
Seed – sow spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in heat water might scale back the germination time. It often germinates inside 1 – 12 months if stored at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into particular person pots when they’re giant sufficient to deal with and develop them on within the greenhouse or chilly body for at the least their first two winters. Plant them out into their everlasting positions in early summer time and contemplate giving them some winter safety for at the least their first winter outdoor – a easy pane of glass is often enough[
].. Seed isn’t produced in Britain except the flowers are hand pollinated.
Root cuttings in late winter or early spring. Carry in mid spring and take away small buds from base of stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wooden ashes to cease any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots in a greenhouse till established[
].
Division of suckers in late spring[
]. Bigger divisions could be planted out direct into their everlasting positions. We have now discovered that it’s best to pot up smaller divisions and develop them on in mild shade in a greenhouse or chilly body till they’re rising away effectively. Plant them out within the following spring.
