Yucca neomexicana

Plants cespitose, forming single or open colonies, each separated by 35–60 cm, acaulescent or rarely caulescent; rosettes usually small, mostly asymmetrical. Stems, when present, primarily rhizomatous, shorter than 1 m. Leaf blade spreading, including distal leaves, spatulate-lanceolate, concavo-convex, thin, widest near middle, 15–46 × 0.7–2 cm, flexible, rather glaucous, margins entire, filiferous, brown or straw-colored. Inflorescences racemose, rarely paniculate proximally, arising within or more often 0–20 cm beyond rosettes, 4–7 dm; branches, when present, few, short; bracts reflexed when mature, purplish, narrowly triangular, proximal to 10 cm, distal 2–3 cm, tapering to pungent apex; peduncle sometimes scapelike, 0.1–0.4 m. Flowers pendent; perianth campanulate; tepals distinct, white to somewhat greenish white, usually tinged pink or purple, broadly lanceolate, 3–4.7 × 1.5–3 cm; filaments 1.3–1.7 cm; pistil 2.4–3.2 cm × 0.5–0.8 cm; style pale green or rarely white, 9–13 mm; stigmas lobed. Fruits erect, capsular, dehiscent, cylindrical, deeply constricted near middle, 3–4.2 × 2–2.7 cm, dehiscence septicidal. Seeds dull black, thin, 6–8 × 5–8 mm.

Phenology: Flowering spring–early summer.
Habitat: Exposed rocky ledges in woodlands and grasslands
Elevation: 1500–2700 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Colo., N.Mex., Okla.

Discussion

Although J. L. Reveal (1977c) reduced Yucca neomexicana to a variety of Y. harrimaniae, the two taxa are morphologically and geographically distinct, and K. H. Clary’s (1997) DNA evidence supports their recognition as separate species.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.