Hesperaloe parviflora - Red yucca
Family Agavaceae
Description:
Three or more species of Hesperaloe are found from southern Texas into northern Mexico. They are relatively small, trunkless plants with long, slender leaves about three feet long. Red yucca is a popular garden plant in the southwestern United States. The small, reddish flowers are held on four to six foot tall spikes through the summer. Unlike their close relatives, the yuccas, hesperaloes are pollinated by hummingbirds and possibly bats. Investigations of commercial production and use of hesperaloe leaf fibers is underway.
Location:
See these plants on the west side of building 1.
Size:
Herbaceous plant with leaves about two feet and flower spikes that arch above the leaves.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: very drought tolerant once established, does not survive in wet sites
Soil: well-drained, low fertility, wide pH tolerance, no special requirements
Red yucca requires a well-drained, sunny site. It is fairly new to northeast Florida landscapes.