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Avatar for skysunnyshin
May 13, 2024 4:03 PM CST
Thread OP

Region: California
Can anyone help identify this Yucca for me. I am thinking it might possibly be either a Spanish Dagger or Spanish Bayonet. Thanks

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Last edited by skysunnyshin May 14, 2024 11:57 AM Icon for preview
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May 14, 2024 1:22 PM CST
California Central Valley (Zone 8b)
Region: California
It looks like the stuff we called Spanish Bayonet when I lived in Modesto but I'm no expert.

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May 14, 2024 2:51 PM CST
N. California (Zone 10b)
Doubtful. Are you in California?
It looks like the common Y. gigantea (usually called Y. elephantipes).
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May 15, 2024 12:27 AM CST
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May 15, 2024 9:21 AM CST
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
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Looks like Yucca gloriosa to me. There are 2 or 3 species in the ballpark which are not all that different.
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May 15, 2024 9:40 AM CST
Moderator
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
Plant Database Moderator Region: California Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Roses Clematis
Daylilies Houseplants Foliage Fan Birds Butterflies Bee Lover
Database links for the 2 suggested names. I'm leaning more toward the more commonly grown one here in Calif., Y. gigantea. Shrug!
Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea)
Spanish Dagger (Yucca gloriosa)
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May 15, 2024 11:03 AM CST
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter Xeriscape Container Gardener Hummingbirder Native Plants and Wildflowers
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Differences between Y. gloriosa and Y. gigantea, according to my reference book (Irish & Irish):

Y. gigantea has longer leaves (up to 4 feet long, vs. 1-2 feet long) which are darker green, often glossy or shiny (which gloriosa's are not). On gigantea the leaves are often lax (sideways or downward, not so much erect). Y. gigantea is larger overall, with a bigger inflorescence containing smaller, more numerous flowers.

Y. gloriosa is much more common here.
Last edited by Baja_Costero May 15, 2024 11:05 AM Icon for preview
Avatar for skysunnyshin
May 15, 2024 12:31 PM CST
Thread OP

Region: California
Hortica said: Doubtful. Are you in California?
It looks like the common Y. gigantea (usually called Y. elephantipes).


Thank you. Yes, I am in in the Los Angeles region-San Fernando Valley
Avatar for skysunnyshin
May 15, 2024 1:04 PM CST
Thread OP

Region: California
Baja_Costero said: Differences between Y. gloriosa and Y. gigantea, according to my reference book (Irish & Irish):

Y. gigantea has longer leaves (up to 4 feet long, vs. 1-2 feet long) which are darker green, often glossy or shiny (which gloriosa's are not). On gigantea the leaves are often lax (sideways or downward, not so much erect). Y. gigantea is larger overall, with a bigger inflorescence containing smaller, more numerous flowers.

Y. gloriosa is much more common here.


The leaves on mine look pretty dull to to me. I don't see any gloss or shine.

Would the identification be easier if I post again once it flowers?
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May 15, 2024 2:16 PM CST
Name: Baja
Baja California (Zone 11b)
Cactus and Succulents Seed Starter Xeriscape Container Gardener Hummingbirder Native Plants and Wildflowers
Garden Photography Region: Mexico Plant Identifier Forum moderator Plant Database Moderator Garden Ideas: Level 2
More visual information certainly wouldn't hurt, but I claim no particular expertise here.

According to my other reference on the genus (Thiede) the inflorescence of gloriosa should different, with the flowers starting well over the leaf tips. In contrast, only the top 1/4 (or so) of the inflorescence is supposed to extend beyond the top of the leaves on the other species.
Last edited by Baja_Costero May 15, 2024 2:41 PM Icon for preview
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May 15, 2024 2:42 PM CST
N. California (Zone 10b)
Looks like what I see everywhere in LA - gigantea.
Leaves look like that here with a mix of stiffer and floppier leaves. I have never seen one with glossy leaves and I have been selling them for 30 years. In my experience Y. gloriosa always has a sharper harder tip compared to gigantea.
Flowers will tell the tale.
Avatar for skysunnyshin
May 15, 2024 3:33 PM CST
Thread OP

Region: California
Thank you everyone for helping me with the identification. I will do a new post once it flowers.
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