Faxon Yucca.
Yucca faxoniana, Agave Family: ( Agavaceae ), Faxon Yucca. Also called: Giant Yucca, Eve's Needle, Spanish Bayonet, Fleshy Yucca, Faxon Dagger, Giant Spanish Dagger, Carneros Yucca, Palma Samandoca, Samuela carnerosana, Samuela faxoniana, Yucca carnerosana.

We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia.

Yucca faxoniana is a perhaps the largest of the Texas native Yucca. It mainly grows in western Texas and the bordering Mexican States of Coahuile and Chihuahua.

Native grown Faxon Yucca plants can reach a height of 18-34 feet tall and usually have a single trunk that when trimmed, has an average diameter of 16 - 20 inches that has a dark brown color, with irregular furrows.

Occasionally, Y.faxoniana will branch out after flowering, forming two heads, growing very close together. These branched trunks are rarely seen but very impressive.

The green leaves are 3 -3 3/4 feet long and up to 2 inches in width, but in a garden they can reach a length of 3 3/4 - 4 feet long, forming a symmetrical head. The leaf margin has a brown edge from which thin, curled white filaments are growing.

In its natural habitat, it flowers about once every three or four years, producing flower clusters up to about 6 feet tall. The inflorescence is 3 1/3 feet to about 4 feet long, towering high above the leaves. The flower stalk has greenish white flowers that are about 2 - 3 1/2 inches long.

It has excellent heat and drought tolerance and is said to be hardy into the low teens.

Quick Notes:

Height: About 18-34 feet tall and 5 - 8 feet wide.

Flowers: A 4 - 6 foot long spike of white, purplish-tinged, bell shaped, flowers 2 - 3 1/2 inches long, grow on the tip of the trunk.

Flowering Time: Phoenix Arizona, March - April.

Leaves: The leaves are dark green, up to about 3 3/4 - 4 feet long and 2 - 3 inches wide, stiff, sharp point on tip, the margins are thin, with curly white filaments threads along the margins.

Found: Native of the rocky slopes of the Chihuahaun desert, of western Texas around the Sierra Blanca region. Mainly the Big Bend Area, divided by the Rio Grande. Also native of the surrounding states of Mexico in the states of Chihuahua, & Coahuile. Growing at elevations from 2,700 - 6,700 feet. The USDA claims it is native of the USA (TX).

Hardiness: Will freeze past the low 15 �F' ! However, some say that they have grown it at lower temperatures.

USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F)

Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Elevation: 0 - 2,900 feet. In Arizona.

Habitat: It grows well in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soils. It needs good drainage and aeration. It is remarkably tolerant of alkali.

Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Hardiness: 15 - 20� F. Photos Taken: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona. May 13, 2008.