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Beaked yucca

How to identify Beaked yucca (Yucca rostrata)

Beaked yucca, also known as Nordstrom's yucca, Beaked blue yucca, Old man yucca, Soyate

Beaked yucca is distinguished by its single, tree-like trunk which can reach 12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters) in height, typically with a solitary stem. The trunk supports a dense, spherical rosette of stiff, slightly waxy, narrow leaves that are each about 2 feet (60 cm) long. These pale bluish-green leaves feature yellow margins and form a striking silhouette. On mature specimens, pillars of white flowers on yellow-orange stalks emerge in late spring, rising above the foliage. The trunk often showcases a soft gray covering, remnants of old leaf bases, adding to its textured appearance.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Beaked yucca

1

Tall tree-like trunk, 12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters) high, with solitary stem.

2

Rosette of bluish-green leaves, 2 feet (60 cm) long, with yellow margins.

3

White flowers in tall panicle, up to 2 feet (60 cm) long, blooming late spring.

4

Distinctive ovoid fruit with beaked tip, leathery texture, and vertical posture.

5

Thick, erect stem, up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) high, with rough, fibrous base coverings.

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Detailed Traits of Beaked yucca

Leaf Features

The leaves of beaked yucca are narrow and linear, measuring 1.3 inches (1.3 cm) in width and 1.3 to 2 feet (0.4 to 0.6 m) in length. They exhibit a pale bluish-green to bluish-gray color. Each leaf has finely toothed margins and ends in a sharp tip, resembling a pom-pom arrangement at the crown. Over time, old leaves dry out, drooping down to form a grass skirt-like covering over the trunk.

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Flower Features

The flowers of beaked yucca are bright white and bloom in late spring. They form a striking panicle, which is a branched cluster that measures up to 2 feet (60 cm) long. The flowers are held high above the canopy on a sturdy inflorescence stalk. Each flower is arranged elegantly within the cluster, creating a stunning visual display. The blooming period enhances the plant's appeal, with the white flowers serving as a prominent feature for identification.

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Stem Features

The stem of beaked yucca is typically single and erect, reaching heights up to 6 feet (1.8 meters). It is thick, measuring up to 1 foot (30 cm) in diameter, and has a rough, cork-like texture. The stem is covered with the persistent, fibrous bases of old leaves, giving it a distinctive, rugged appearance. It is generally brownish-gray in color and rarely branches, contributing to its striking vertical profile.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of beaked yucca is characterized by its distinctive erect posture, contributing to the aesthetic appeal of the plant. These fruits showcase an ovoid to ellipsoid shape, typically resembling a stretched sphere. Adding to their unique profile, they are notably beaked, which means they taper to a point at one end, recalling the shape of a bird’s beak. While the color is not specified, fruits of similar species often exhibit green hues that may mature to a dry, brown color. The texture is often leathery or somewhat woody upon maturation. This description does not provide dimensions, but fruits generally fall into a range suitable to their described shape.

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Beaked yucca and Their Similar Plants

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Adam's needle vs. Beaked 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.
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Spanish dagger vs. Beaked 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.
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Aloe yucca vs. Beaked 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.
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Small Soapweed vs. Beaked 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.
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Weak-leaf yucca vs. Beaked yucca: What's The Difference?
Weak-leaf yucca (Yucca flaccida) is an evergreen perennial shrub that can grow to be 46 to 61 cm tall. This species is native to portions of the southeastern United States. It grows best in sandy loam soils. This species has white flowers that bloom in through spring. It is pollinated by white Yucca moths that are attracted to its fragrant flowers. The fruit flowers and stem are edible.
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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.
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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.
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Twistleaf yucca vs. Beaked 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.
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Key Facts About Beaked yucca

Attributes of Beaked yucca
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Shrub
Plant Height
1.5 m to 4.5 m
Spread
1.2 m to 3 m
Leaf Color
Green
Blue
Leaf type
Evergreen
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Scientific Classification of Beaked yucca

Family
Asparagus
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Genus
Yuccas
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Species
Beaked yucca (Yucca rostrata)
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