Hesperoyucca, Genus, whipplei, Species,
- Genus & species
chaparral yucca
Southwestern North America (California, Baja California)
Overview
Hesperoyucca whipplei, formerly Yucca whipplei, is an evergreen rosette-forming succulent of dry slopes in California and Baja California. It builds a dense, near-spherical rosette of stiff, blue-green to grey-green leaves 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) long, each tapering to a sharp, rigid terminal spine and edged with small teeth. The rosette spans 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) and stays low for several years. When mature, the plant sends up a single stout flowering stalk 6-14 feet (1.8-4.3 m) tall bearing hundreds to thousands of pendent, bell-shaped flowers, creamy white and often flushed purple. The flowers are scented at night and are pollinated almost exclusively by the yucca moth Tegeticula maculata, whose larvae feed on a portion of the developing seeds. The main rosette is monocarpic: it dies after flowering and setting seed, though some forms produce offsets that continue the clump. The terminal leaf spines are needle-sharp and can cause puncture wounds, which limits placement near paths. The plant withstands heat, drought, and poor rocky soils but rots in wet, heavy ground.
Native Range
Native to southern California and Baja California, Mexico, on dry slopes, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and desert margins from near sea level to about 8,000 feet (2,400 m).Suggested Uses
Used in dry gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscapes, and on banks and slopes for erosion control. It serves as a sculptural specimen in desert and Mediterranean-climate plantings. Its sharp spines make it unsuited to paths and play areas.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 14'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from April to June after a build-up of several years, with desert and low-elevation plants opening earlier. The tall stalk elongates quickly and flowers over about 4-6 weeks. The rosette dies once seed has set.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
creamy white, often flushed purpleFoliage Description
blue-green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight