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Yucca baccata (Broad Leaf Yucca, Banana Yucca) Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family) Synonym: Agavaceae (Agave Family) Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, canyons, openings. Spring, summer. Yucca baccata is a very common plant of the Four Corners area and along with Sagebrush and the Pinyon Pine/Juniper forests it is symbolic of the area. Yucca baccata presents a massive and solid stature with beautiful symmetry. Leaves are broad, long, stiff, and sharp and flowers are large and creamy thick. We may enjoy the beauty of Yucca baccata, but in ages gone by, the plant was prized for its uses. The Anasazi used Yucca baccata leaves for sandals and cord, the roots for soap, and the flower and fruit for food. "Baccata" is Latin for "with berries". Yucca baccata is the New Mexico state flower. |
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Yucca baccata
(Broad Leaf Yucca, Banana Yucca) Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family) Synonym: Agavaceae (Agave Family) Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, canyons, openings. Spring, summer. Flowers are thick, pendulant, and barely exceed the leaves. |
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Yucca baccata (Broad
Leaf Yucca, Banana Yucca) Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family) Synonym: Agavaceae (Agave Family) Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, canyons,
openings. Spring, summer. The fruits of Yucca baccata are eaten raw, steamed, or sautéed and were a significant source of nourishment for the Anasazi. The fruits pictured are not yet full-sized and mature. Depending on rainfall, the fruits might elongate another fifty percent. |
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Yucca baccata
(Broad Leaf Yucca, Banana Yucca) Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family) Synonym: Agavaceae (Agave Family) Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, canyons, openings. Spring, summer. In the spring of 2001, the first growing season after the 20,000 acre Mesa Verde fire, the roots of several large incinerated Yuccas sprouted four new plants. |
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Yucca baccata (Broad Leaf Yucca, Banana Yucca) Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family) Synonym: Agavaceae (Agave Family) Semi-desert, foothills. Woodlands, canyons, openings. Spring, summer. Pack Rats build huge mounded homes in the safety of Yucca baccata sword leaves. |
Range map © John Kartesz,
County Color Key
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Range map for Yucca baccata |