Commonly known as Soaptree Yucca, Soaptree, Soaped Yucca, Palmilla, Palmella, Amole.
Soaptree Yucca is a 5-20 ft., tree-like yucca with fine, arching, gray-green to blue-green leaves with white margins. Plants resemble coarse bunchgrass when young, gradually developing several heads on trunk-like stems with age. The flowering stem grows to 3-7 ft. long with 25-30 side branches covered with clusters of creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers. The brown, woody seed capsule is interesting. Evergreen, palmlike shrub or small tree with single trunk or several clustered trunks; unbranched or with few upright branches and very long, narrow leaves. Growth is extremely slow, about 1″ in height a year. The local name “Palmilla,” Spanish for “small palm,” refers to the resemblance of this species to a palm.
Soapy material in the roots and trunks of this abundant species has been used as a soap substitute. The leaves are a source of coarse fiber and have been used by Native Americans in making baskets.
Plant in well-draining soils in full sun.
Height: 12′-20′ Spread: 6′-10′ Bloom: April-June Light: Full Sun Water: Low Zone: 6-11 Origin: Southwest Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Mexico
