SPANISH DAGGER
YUCCA
Yucca gloriosa
Asparagus [Asparagaceae] 
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Asparagus [Asparagaceae]
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flower
inner
morph
petals
type
stem
toxicity
| 23rd July 2010, Read, Lancs. | Photo: © RWD |
| An architectural or monumental plant. Leaves stiff, dagger-shaped with sharp point at tip and angled upwards. A tall spike of creamy-white bell-shaped flowers, hanging down, reminiscent of a 'golden rain' firework. |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Un-opened flowers. |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| The bell-shaped flowers hang downwards. |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| The six petals are in two inter-leaved sets of three; inner and outer sets. The petals are narrow at the top, broad in the middle and taper to a purple-hinted point at the ends. |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Looking up, braving the extremely sharp points on the leaves, the flower is seen to consist of six 'L'-shaped anthers surrounding a triple stigma, all white. |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| The author risked life and limb to take these photos! The pain was only slightly lessened by the reward of a pint or two of real ale :-) |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| The six anthers are tipped with small patches of creamy yellow pollen. The stigmas are creamy-green nearer the base. |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| Un-opened flower. |
| 3rd July 2010, The Woodlands PH, Silverdale, Cumbria. | Photo: © RWD |
| If you dare go near this plant be extremely careful; the points on the ends of the very stiff leaves are exceedingly sharp, and can easily puncture arteries or permanently damage your eyes. Wear full body armour and goggles! Some gardeners wisely truncate (or butcher) the leaves. |
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Many similarities to : variation Yucca recurvifolia, which does not have straight leaves, but ones which arch backwards. Uniquely identifiable characteristics Distinguishing Feature : Looks like a 'golden rain' firework in full steam. Recently moved from the now defunct Agave Family [Agavaceae] into the Asparagus Family.
Contains saponins. The juice obtained from the leaves has been used as a fish poison in stagnant water. The leaves contain The long linear shaped leaves are stiff, pointing 45° upwards, and are very dangerous: the sharp tips of the leaves can easily pierce skin, and allergic reactions can result. You are very much more likely to find this in a garden setting rather than in the wild on sand-dunes and gravel pits where it can occasionally be found. ANY TEXT GOES HERE |
 Yucca |
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Asparagus [Asparagaceae]
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