Hesperoyucca whipplei
Chaparral yucca | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Asparagales |
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
Genus: | Hesperoyucca |
Species: | H. whipplei
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Binomial name | |
Hesperoyucca whipplei | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Hesperoyucca whipplei (
Description
This section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2022) |
It produces a stemless cluster of long, rigid
The single inflorescence grows extremely fast, and reaches 0.9–3 metres (3–10 ft) tall, bearing hundreds of elliptical (bell-shaped) white to purplish flowers 3 cm (1+1⁄4 in) in diameter on a densely branched panicle up to 70 cm (28 in) broad, covering the upper half of the inflorescence. The fruit is a dry winged capsule, which splits open at maturity to release the seeds.
The plant takes several (usually 5+) years to reach maturity and flower, doing so in April–May,[5] at which point it usually dies. Most subspecies produce offshoots from the base, so that although the parent plant flowers and dies, a cluster of clones around its base continue to grow and reproduce. It may also grow back from its base after much of its foliage has been scorched off by the wildfires that frequent its range.
Taxonomy
The taxonomy of H. whipplei is complex and controversial.
Among those botanists who have treated (or still treat) it as a species of Yucca, six subspecies have been recognised;[9][10][11] others have regarded them as varieties.[12]
Hochstätter's subspecies are:
- Yucca whipplei ssp. whipplei
- Yucca whipplei ssp. caespitosa
- Yucca whipplei ssp. intermedia
- Yucca whipplei ssp. percursa
- Yucca whipplei ssp. newberryi
- Yucca whipplei ssp. eremica
The plant treated as the subspecies Y. whipplei subsp. newberryi has been shown to be genetically distinct, and is often treated as a distinct species, Hesperoyucca newberryi. It is native further east, in Arizona, and differs in the capsules being unwinged or with only slight wings.
Etymology
- "Yuca" is a native name for the unrelated Manihot.
- Yucca whipplei is named after Pacific Railroad Survey to Los Angeles in 1853.[13]
- The name our Lord's candle is derived from its huge, flame-shaped inflorescence.
- Spanish bayonet refers to the needle-sharp leaf tips which can cause discomfort to the unwary passer-by.
Distribution
It is native to southern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico,[5] where it occurs mainly in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodland plant communities at altitudes of 0–2,500 metres (8,200 feet).[14]
Ecology
It is pollinated by the California
Uses
Hesperoyucca whipplei is used in xeriscaping in Southern California, but reportedly is difficult to grow outside of its native range (although it is widely available from specialist nurseries in the United Kingdom).[16] It is extremely drought tolerant and thrives in clay soils.
It has been used extensively by
The long leaves of species such as the Y. whipplei are made of strong fibers which can be pounded and scraped to expose long threads which run the length of the leaf.
Other groups made use of different varieties of yucca species found throughout the American Southwest.[19][21][22] Archaeological evidence shows use of Yucca shidigera (Mojave yucca) near the area of the Mexico–United States border dating as early as 5,000 years ago.[21][22] Residues of yucca were found on some stone tools in a cave site in Texas indicate that yucca was used to secure stone tools to other materials.[21][22] Ethnographic evidence of the Mogollon has shown the use of the leaves with green leaf matter intact and woven into sandals.[19] The green leaves are fire heated and no scraping or further processing occurs to remove fibers, though the spine is removed from the tip. The whole green leaves are then tightly woven to shape the bed of the sandal, and secured to the foot with cordage ties.[19]
Gallery
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In full bloom
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Dried flower stalk with seedpods
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Foliage rosette
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Fruit
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Dried and opened seedpod
References
- ^ "Hesperoyucca whipplei (Torr.) Trel". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ a b c "Hesperoyucca whipplei". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-520-02538-7. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-9622418-0-2. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-375-40233-3.
- ^ Flora of North America
- IPNI
- ^ Agavaceae.com – page includes a key toYucca and the three recognised species of Hesperoyucca
- ISBN 3-00-005946-6
- ISBN 3-00-009008-8
- ISBN 3-00-013124-8
- USDA NRCSPLANTS database
- ^ Dale, N. (1986), p24. Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains. Capra Press.
- ^ "Hesperoyucca whipplei (Torr.) Baker chaparral yucca". Calflora. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
- ^ "Reports on ongoing research by Professor Dan Udovic". University of Oregon. Archived from the original on 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ISBN 978-1-4053-4176-9.
- ^ Dole, J. W.; B. B. Rose (1996). Shrubs and Trees of the Southern California Coastal Regions and Mountains. Foot-loose Press. p. 59.
- ISBN 0874741882.
- ^ ISBN 0879059214.
- ^ ISBN 0520090055.
- ^ JSTOR 530548.
- ^ a b c d Sutton, M.Q.; Yohe, II, R.M. (1988). "Perishable Artifacts from Cave No. 5, Providence Mountains, California". Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology. 10 (1): 117–123.
- ^ ISBN 0520024052.
- ^ ISBN 0879059214.