Yucca constricta
Buckley.
Buckley's Yucca
(c) Curren Frasch, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Curren Frasch
(c) Ad Konings, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ad Konings
(c) Curren Frasch, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Curren Frasch
What to Eat
Edible parts: Flowers, Fruit, Stem
Fruit - raw or cooked. Flowers - raw or cooked. Delicious raw, they can also be dried, crushed and used as a flavouring. Flowering stem - cooked and used like asparagus.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
Southern N. America - Texas to the Gulf of Mexico.
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Texas (s.-c. & w.)), Mexico (Coahuila de Zaragoza (north))
How to Identify
Yucca constricta is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Hand. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
How to Grow
Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils. Established plants are very drought resistant. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, though they can succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. In the plants native environment, its flowers can only be pollinated by a certain species of moth. This moth cannot live in Britain and, if fruit and seed is required, hand pollination is necessary. This can be quite easily and successfully done using something like a small paint brush. Individual crowns are monocarpic, dying after flowering. However, the crown will usually produce a number of sideshoots before it dies and these will grow on to flower in later years. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient. Seed is not produced in Britain unless the flowers are hand pollinated. Root cuttings in late winter or early spring. Lift in April/May and remove small buds from base of stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wood ashes to stop any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots in a greenhouse until established.
Other Uses
Fibre SoapA fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making ropes, baskets and mats. The roots are rich in saponins and can be used as a soap substitute.
