Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Yucca filamentosa

Yucca (Beargrass, Adam)

Plant Type	Forb
Life Cycle	Perennial
Leaf Pattern	Basal
Wild/Cultivated	Wild
Flower Color	white
Habitat	Desert/Coastal regions. Widespread
Description	A very hardy plant often found in arid regions but widespread elsewhere as well. The long lancelike leaves contain a strong fiber. The flowerstalks contain many bell shaped drooping flowers.
Edibility	Yucca root is a common food in central and south american cooking. The flower petals can also be eaten raw in salad or on their own. The fruit of some species of yucca can be cooked and eaten. Other species, however, have a hard inedible fruit.
Medicinal Uses	Unknown, but suspected medicinal uses.
Utilitarian Uses	This plant is incredibly useful from a utilitarian standpoint. The leaf fiber is quite strong and easy to process, yeilding a fine cordage material. The dried flowerstalks make excellent hand and bow drill spindles and fireboards. The roots and leaves contain saponin.
Habitat	Widespread, but thrives in sandy soil. Dense in desert or coastal regions.

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the material presented here is accurate, the author disclaims all liability resulting from the use or misuse of this information. Please use caution when collecting, preparing, and utilizing these plants, just as you should always use caution and common sense in the outdoors... and also indoors. Come to think of it... just be careful in general. Thanks.

Jan Macario - Contact Me