| Yucca filamentosa | |
|---|---|
| Y. filamentosa Adam's needle, in bloom | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| clade: | Angiosperms |
| clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
| Genus: | Yucca |
| Species: | Y. filamentosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Yucca filamentosa L. |
|
Yucca filamentosa, commonly known as Adam's needle, is a medicinal plant native to eastern North America.[1]
Usually trunkless, Yucca filamentosa is a multisuckering plant with heads of 30 inch (75 cm) long, filamentous, blue green strappy leaves. The plant is fully hardy. Yucca filamentosa is readily identified from other Yucca species by white threads (filaments) on the leaf margins (see image).[2]
Flower stems up to 10 ft (3 m) tall bear masses of pendulous cream flowers in early summer.[3]
In the wild, Y. filamentosa is native to the southeastern United States, as far west as Louisiana and as far north as Virginia. However, it is widely cultivated and can be found naturalized outside its native range.[3]
Y. filamentosa is closely related to Yucca flaccida and it is possible they should in fact be classified as a single species.[3]
Yuccas are useful garden perennials because they bloom at night (nyctinasty). The creamy-white flowers fill with sap and lift petals to the darkening sky then release a sweet odor (which reminds some viewers as smelling of a toilet soap) that attracts the very small pollinator, the yucca moth.
The leaves, stems and roots of this plant can be used to stun fish.[4]