Spanish Dagger
(Yucca faxoniana)
Spanish Dagger (Yucca faxoniana)
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Cecelia Alexander
CC0 1.0
Image By:
Cecelia Alexander
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CC0 1.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Cecelia Alexander | License Type: CC0 1.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Uploader: aspidoscelis | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Yucca faxoniana, commonly known as Spanish Dagger, is an evergreen succulent native to the Chihuahuan Desert and semi-desert grasslands of Texas, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. It can grow as a shrub or tree form, reaching heights of 3–10 feet (0.91–3.05 m) and occasionally up to 20 feet (6.1 m) when single-trunked. The plant features rigid, sword-shaped leaves that can be quite sharp, and a striking flower stalk that can rise up to 2 feet (0.6 m) above the foliage. The flowers are ivory to creamy white, bell-shaped, and bloom typically in April, attracting pollinators such as moths of the genus Tegeticula. After flowering, it produces sweet, pulpy, oblong fruits that are a food source for local wildlife.
Spanish Dagger is valued for its architectural form and is often used in xeriscaping due to its low water requirements. It is suitable for rock gardens, desert landscaping, or as a focal point in a drought-tolerant garden. It thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil, preferably sandy or rocky. While generally low-maintenance, it can be affected by root rot if overwatered. Its sharp leaves should be considered when planting in areas with pedestrian traffic.CC BY-SA 4.0
Spanish Dagger is valued for its architectural form and is often used in xeriscaping due to its low water requirements. It is suitable for rock gardens, desert landscaping, or as a focal point in a drought-tolerant garden. It thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil, preferably sandy or rocky. While generally low-maintenance, it can be affected by root rot if overwatered. Its sharp leaves should be considered when planting in areas with pedestrian traffic.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Succulent
- Height: 4-14 feet
- Width: 6-10 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Very Low, Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Chihuahuan Desert and semi-desert grasslands
Other Names
Common Names: Giant Dagger , Torrey’s Yucca , Eve’s Needle , Faxon Yucca , Fleshy Yucca
Scientific Names: Yucca torreyi , Yucca faxoniana , Yucca torreyi f. parviflora , Samuela faxonia , Samuela faxoniana , Sarcoyucca australis , Sarcoyucca macrocarpa , Yucca australis var. valida , Yucca baccata var. macrocarpa
GBIF Accepted Name: Yucca faxoniana Sarg.