Plant family
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Yucca moths pollinate a yucca flower (toward the top) |
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Cluster of Joshua tree flowers (Yucca brevifolia)
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Agave or Century Plant Family (Agavaceae)
Common Names
Yucca
Common names for Adam's needle, a popular southeastern U.S. native yucca available at garden centers include:
needle palm, bear grass, bear’s thread, Christmas bell, Confederate flax, curly hair, Eve’s darning needle, Eve’s thread, grass cactus, our-Lord’s-candles, silk grass, soap root, soap week, Spanish-dagger, spoon, leaf yucca, thread-and-needle (from: USDA Plant Guide)
Description
Yuccas are very drought tolerant plants native to the dry regions of the southwestern U.S., Central and South America. A few species are found in more northern, central, and eastern parts of the U.S. Some species are considered invasive in rangelands.
Yuccas have sword like leaves and send up tall spikes with white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. Some species of these long-lived plants can grow up to 15 feet or more in height.
Yuccas need dry well drained soils and full sun. Depending on species, they are hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 9.
Yuccas are a great choice as an accent plant for a water-wise landscape.
Attracts
hummingbirds
yucca moth - adult and larva
Additional Resources:
USDA NRCS Plant Guide - Adam's Needle Yucca filamentosa L.
West
Southeast
Florida - Yucca filamentosa Adam's Needle
North Carolina Plant Fact Sheets
Southwest
Texas arthropods image salon - image of yucca moth
