| Yucca guatemalensis | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| clade: | Angiosperms |
| clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
| Genus: | Yucca |
| Species: | Y. guatemalensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Yucca guatemalensis Baker |
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Yucca guatemalensis (syn. Yucca elephantipes) , is the tallest of the Yucca species. Common names for this species include spineless yucca, soft-tip yucca, blue-stem yucca, giant yucca and itabo. It is native to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.[1] Its flower, the Izote, is the national flower of El Salvador.
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Although it can grow up to 9 metres in height, with a spread to 4.5 metres, it is usually less than 6 metres in height. It may have a thick, single trunk or be mulitrunked resulting from growth from the base.[2] The leaves are strap-like, spineless and up to 1.2 metres in length. White flowers are produced in the summer, followed by brown, fleshy fruits which are oval and up to 2.5 cm in length.[2]
The species can be grown in a variety of soils and is drought-tolerant. Young plants are used as potted specimens, and may be used as an house plant. Yucca guatemalensis may be subject to a number of pests including scale, Yucca moth borers, and black weevils. Plants are subject to root rot if overwatered. Leaf spot may affect the appearance of the leaves, but it does not affect the health of the plant. Propagation is by suckers, cuttings or seed.[2]
A number of cultivars have been released including:
The flowers are used as ingredients in recipes due to their bitter taste. The plants are often used on coffee estates to prevent soil erosion on steep slopes.
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