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Native Plants of the Southeast

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Yucca filamentosa
Adam's Needle, Spanish Bayonet

Photo by Pethan

Adam’s Needle is a broadleaf evergreen, suckering shrub from the Southeastern states. Although stemless, it has a rosette of stiff, sword-shaped leaves with loose filaments attached at the leaf margins, which distinguish it from other members of the genus. While these leaves reach only 2-3 feet in height, the flower stalks supporting a loose panicle of creamy white, bell-shaped flowers in early summer reach 6-8 or even 10 feet in height. Yucca thrives in full sun and in well drained, circumneutral soils. While it looks like a beach plant and thrives in sandy soil, it also grows well in our clay-based soils. It possesses a large taproot so is not easily moved once established, and, importantly, its lateral roots send up multiple shoots in its vicinity. While it depends on the Yucca moth for pollination, it attracts hummingbirds and is a larval host for several skippers, according to Lady Bird Johnson.

Last Updated: June 25, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Yucca filamentosa L.
Common Names: Adam's Needle, Spanish Bayonet
Family Name: Asparagaceae
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Uses: Specimen
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Medium
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Bloom Times: May, Jun
Flower Color: White.
Special Characteristics: Attracts butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought tolerant, Rhizomatous, Tolerates dry conditions, Tolerates salt spray, Persistent basal rosette, Interesting form; Reported to be deer resistant

Additional Info

Habit: Suckering, stemless evergreen shrub consisting of a rosette of stiff, sword-shaped leaves, and having a large fleshy taproot and lateral roots which send up new plants
Height: Rosette, 2-3' in height; flowers 6-10'
Spread: 4'
Soil Conditions: Dry to medium, acid, circumneutral and slightly basic pH, sandy, loamy, clay, rocky.
Leaves: Stiff, sword-shaped, blue-green, strappy leaves 2-3' long with loose, curly filaments along the margins.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Terminal panicles of nodding, bell-shaped, creamy white flowers which can take 2-3 years to appear.
Fruit: Fruits are elliptical, dry capsules which break open to release seeds.
Natural Distribution: Beaches, sand dunes and rocky fields.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 - 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: Not available.
Pollination: Yucca moth
Wildlife Connections: Attracts hummingbirds and is larval host for the Yucca Giant-skipper and the Cofaqui Giant-skipper according to Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Ctr.
Downside: This plant is difficult to totally remove as the roots are hardy and will continue to send up new plants
Propagation: Propagated from basal offsets, from seeds or even cuttings.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Office/Jen/Bill:  919-542-6186

Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

our hours

Cure Nursery operates by appointment only. Call us or email us to place an order for pick up or to arrange a time to come visit the nursery.

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