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Common Name: Plains Yucca

Other Names: Small Soapweed, Great Plains Yucca, Soap-plant

Species Name: Yucca glauca

Plant Type: Forb

Family Name: Agavaceae, Century Plant Family

 

 

 

 

Plant Facts  
Origin Native
Duration Perennial
Distribution in the U.S. The Great Plains from Montana and North Dakota south to Texas and New Mexico
Distribution in Oklahoma Throughout the state

 

 

ID Characteristics

  • Field Identification Characteristics

    Vegetative

    • Large rosette of stiff, smooth, linear leaves
    • Leaves have smooth edges

    Floral

    • Large column of cream-colored flowers
    • 3-lobed seed pods
  • Leaf and Stem Characteristics
    • Leaf Type: Simple 
    • Leaf Arrangement: Alternate 
    • Leaf Shape: Linear
    • Stipules: Absent
  • Floral Characteristics
    • Petal Number: 6 petaloid parts in 2 layers
    • Flower Color: Cream to white
    • Flower Timing: May-June
    • Fruit Type: Capsules

 

 

Habitat/Ecology  
Soil Type Sandy soils, but can be varying
Habitat Prairies, open, dry, upland sites and old fields, along roadsides and at abandoned home sites
Successional Stage Mid to late

 

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