Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Weak-leaf yucca

How to identify Weak-leaf yucca (Yucca flaccida)

Weak-leaf yucca, also known as Adam's needle, Beargrass, Flaccid leaf yucca

Weak-leaf yucca is an evergreen shrub characterised by its rosettes of spear-shaped, tough leaves, which can reach lengths of up to 30 inches (76 cm). The leaves emanate from mostly subterranean stems. Its foliage radiates from the plant's center and can be identified by their sword-like appearance. The plant thrives in well-drained, sandy or rocky soils and displays resilience in poor soil conditions. It has a robust constitution that is adaptable to various environmental factors.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Weak-leaf yucca

1

Rosettes of spear-shaped leaves up to 30 inches (76 cm) long.

2

Distinctive bell-shaped flowers, creamy white, with a mild fragrance.

3

Dry capsule fruit, oblong, splitting into three sections, releasing black seeds.

4

Sword-like green leaves, floppily recurved, with thread-like fibers along the margin.

5

Subterranean, thick fleshy stems aiding in water storage and nutrient absorption.

Weak-leaf yuccaWeak-leaf yuccaWeak-leaf yuccaWeak-leaf yuccaWeak-leaf yucca

Detailed Traits of Weak-leaf yucca

Leaf Features

Weak-leaf yucca leaves are sword-like, measuring 1 to 1.7 feet (30 to 51 cm) in length. These leaves bend downward and often exhibit thread-like fibers along the margin. The outer leaves recurved, or bend back on themselves, resulting in a distinctive floppy appearance. They have a tough texture and are typically green, providing a unique identification feature for weak-leaf yucca.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

The flowers of weak-leaf yucca are borne on a striking stalk that can reach heights of 3 to 8 feet (90 to 240 cm). These blooms form a loose cluster and possess a distinctive bell shape. Each flower, typically about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) in length, exhibits a creamy white color. The petals are smooth with a slight downward curve, and the flowers emit a mild, pleasing fragrance. Blooming primarily in late spring to early summer, they create a spectacular display.

Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stems of weak-leaf yucca are subterranean, growing beneath the earth's surface. These underground stems are typically thick and fleshy, aiding in water storage and nutrient absorption. They lack visible branching and extend horizontally underground. The texture is smooth, and they are pale brown in color. These stems help the plant survive in dry conditions by storing moisture and reserving energy, making them a crucial feature for identification.

Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Fruit Features

The fruit of weak-leaf yucca is a dry capsule with an oblong shape, characteristic of its genus. When mature, it typically measures 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in length. The surface of the capsule is firm and may exhibit a light brown to tan color, often blending with the surrounding foliage. Upon reaching full maturity, the capsule may split open into three distinct sections, releasing numerous small, flat black seeds. The texture of these seeds contrasts with the smooth interior of the capsule. This distinctive dry fruiting body is an identifying feature of weak-leaf yucca.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Weak-leaf yucca and Their Similar Plants

Img topic
Adam's needle vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) is a compact evergreen shrub highly appreciated by horticulturalists and landscapers worldwide. Yucca filamentosa takes the spotlight in almost every garden due to its stunning looks. It is easily recognized by its large clusters of gentle white flowers, which are in sharp contrast to the green rosettes of sword-shaped leaves.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Spanish dagger vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
Spanish dagger (Yucca gloriosa) is a flowering evergreen shrub that originated in the United States southeastern region. It naturally grows along sand dunes, but has become very popularly cultivated as a garden plant used for landscaping. Other names for spanish dagger are Roman candle, Lord's candlestick, and Sea Islands yucca.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Aloe yucca vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
Aloe yucca (Yucca aloifolia) is a yucca species native to the eastern United States and Mexico where it grows in dry, sandy soils. Both its fruit and flowers are safe to eat raw or cooked. Twine can be made using fibers from the leaves and the roots are good ingredients for soap.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Small Soapweed vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
The small Soapweed (Yucca glauca) is native to North America and thrives in desert conditions. The only insects that can pollinate yucca flowers are yucca moths, and yucca fruits are the only food for yucca moth larvae. Small Soapweed leaves are used for decoration, flooring mats, and cushions, while the roots can be crushed into a lather for use as soap or shampoo.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Beaked yucca vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
Yucca rostrata also called beaked yucca, is a tree-like plant belonging to the genus Yucca. The species is native to Texas, Chihuahua and Coahuila. Yucca rostrata has a trunk up to 4.5 meters tall, with a crown of leaves at the top. Leaves are thin, stiff, up to 60 cm long but rarely more than 1.5 cm wide, tapering to a sharp point at the tip. The inflorescence is a large panicle 1 m tall, with white flowers.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Soaptree yucca vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
Soaptree yucca (Yucca elata) is an evergreen tree-like yucca that will grow from 1.8 to 6 m tall. Thin green leaves edged in white grow up to 1.2 m long. Blooms in late spring to early summer with tall flower stalks covered in clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers. Fragrant flowers attract hummingbirds. The roots and trunk of the tree are used to make soap and shampoo.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Curve-leaf yucca vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
Curve-leaf yucca (Yucca gloriosa var. tristis) is a woody, evergreen perennial that grows from 1.8 to 3 m tall. Its narrow 91 cm long leaves curve downward, giving it its name. Flowers bloom from late spring to summer and will sometimes bloom again in fall. White, bell-shaped blossoms grow up to 1.5 m tall on a large, showy flower cluster. This plant is often grown in gardens and used in landscaping.
Read More
Arrow
Img topic
Twistleaf yucca vs. Weak-leaf yucca: What's The Difference?
The twistleaf yucca is native to northern Mexico and parts of the United States. It hybridizes with Yucca rupicola, which has a similar appearance to this plant but has more twisted and curved leaves. The twistleaf yucca is a good gardening alternative to other species of yuccas.
Read More
Arrow
Identify Weak-leaf yucca easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Weak-leaf yucca

Attributes of Weak-leaf yucca
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
55 cm
Flower Size
2.5 cm to 5 cm
Flower Color
White
Leaf type
Evergreen
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Weak-leaf yucca

Family
Asparagus
Icon allow
Genus
Yuccas
Icon allow
Species
Weak-leaf yucca (Yucca flaccida)
Learn More About the Weak-leaf yucca

Distribution Map of Weak-leaf yucca

Weak-leaf yucca is a plant species that is native to the southeastern part of North America. Over time, it has been introduced and adapted to parts of Europe's temperate regions. The plant is also cultivated in various areas, which extends its presence beyond its natural range.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app