World Plants Logo

search the world

Woody > Yucca > Yucca nana > Yucca nana

Yucca nana


Dwarf Yucca




Origin:  First discovered in 1998 by Fritz Hochstetler in Denver Colorado, it is currently protected from collection due to near extinction.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

"

This plant grows laterally in rich sandy soil on slopes. It is mostly used as an ornamental in rock and grass gardens. Also does well as a potted plant and in group plantings.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

"

Family
Asparagaceae
Genus
Yucca
Species
nana
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
5a - 9b
Canadian Hardiness Zone
4a - 8a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H3 - H7
Temperature (°C)
-29 - (-1)
Temperature (°F)
-20 - 30
Height
15 - 30 cm
Spread
22 - 30 cm
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
AprilMayJune
General Description
Yucca nana is a small, woody plant with long, fibrous leaves and edible roots.
Landscape
Great in ornamental, grass or rock gardens, in pots and on slopes.
Cultivation
Prefers well-drained, rich, sandy soils. Drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant and deer resistant.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
Grows on slopes; leaves are up to 15 cm long; creamy, bell-shaped flowers.
Pests
Susceptible to cane borers, scale insects and fungal leaf spot.
Habitat
Sandy slopes in open pine woods.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Light green to cream-coloured, teardrop-shaped, asparagus-like in formation.
Leaf Description
Long, narrow, light green, stiff and upright, rough, bearing many fibres, clustered in rosettes up to 30 cm tall. Becoming smooth and dark green at the tip.
Flower Description
Succulent, cream coloured, 3 - 4 cm long, in central, upright cluster to 1 m tall.
Fruit Description
Dehiscent, globose to ovoid, 2 - 3 ? 3 - 4 cm, green when young, wider and woody when ripe, bearing black, flat, rugged seeds. Seeds remain viable for years until scarification occurs.
Notable Specimens
Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Propagation
By seed, scarified, planted 0.5 - 1 cm deep. Require fast draining soil mix as seeds are prone to rot diseases. It may take several months before they become established enough to transplant. When transplanting ensure that the plant is hardened off. Propagation can also be done by dividing rhizomes and planting them in the same way as seeds.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
Edible roots.
References
Bitner, Richard L. Designing With Conifers. Portland, London. 2011. Print. Beck, Allison and Renwald, Kathy. Tree & Shrub Gardening in Ontario, Lone Pine. 2001. Print.
goToTop
top