YUCCA FILIFERA: CHARACTERISTICS, TAXONOMY, HABITAT, USES - BIOLOGY - 2025

Yucca filifera is a monocotyledonous shrub and perennial plant belonging to the Agavoideae subfamily of the Asparagaceae family. Known as espadillo, flor de izote, Chinese palm, common palm, desert palm, yucca palm, mají or bají and tambasi, it is native to Mexico.

They are large bushy-looking plants that reach up to 10 m in height and branch out with age. The stiff, olive-green leaves are borne in a spiral at the end of the stem and are 50-60 cm long.

Yucca filifera. Source: Rebou

The cream-colored flowers, generally edible, arise at the apex of a long, erect panicle. Like the oblong berry-shaped fruits, they are used for human and animal consumption.

In the xerophilous regions of Mexico, the Chinese palm or flor de izote is used as a textile, for human consumption and as fodder for livestock. Likewise, it is used as an ornamental, for medicinal purposes, in living fences, rural buildings, combustion, making handmade soap and as a soil protector.

Yucca filifera reproduces vegetatively through shoots and through seeds. They have a slow growth, averaging 3-10 cm per year, taking approximately 50 years for a plant to reach more than 2-3 m in height and begin to bloom.

General characteristics

Chinese yucca or desert yucca is a tall plant that can reach 10 m in height. Adult plants develop a large number of branches from the second upper third, reaching up to 35-40 branches.

The linear and lanceolate, rigid and rough leaves are 50-55 cm long by 3-4 cm wide. They are constricted at the base, they are easily brittle, they have hairy edges and multiple fibrous and curly filaments of soft color.

The inflorescences develop in a terminal position in the form of a panicle, initially erect and then hanging when flowering occurs. The flowers of light or creamy tones have broad or oblong tepals with several short filaments that are smaller than the tepals.

The plant produces large clusters of flowers that need the participation of the Tegeticula mexicana butterfly to fruit, establishing a symbiotic relationship. The butterfly, after pollinating the flower, deposits its eggs in the ovary, ensuring its offspring and that of the izote.

Flowering occurs between the months of April and May. As a result, a berry-shaped fruit is obtained, 5-7 cm long, with an oblong appearance. The seeds are flat, thin and black in color.

Yucca filifera flowering. Source: pixabay.com

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Liliopsida

- Subclass: Liliidae

- Order: Asparagales

- Family: Asparagaceae

- Subfamily: Agavoideae

- Gender: Yucca

- Species: Yucca filifera Chabaud, 1876

Etymology

- Yucca: the name of the genus proposed by Linnaeus and derived by mistake from the Taíno expression «yuca», written with a single «c».

- filifera: adjective that comes in Latin «filum», «thread» and «fero», for the threads that cover the leaves.

Synonymy

- Yucca baccata var. filifera

- Yucca canaliculata var. filifera

Habitat and distribution

The specimens of the species Yucca filifera are located in flat, loose, shallow and well-drained soils, characteristic of the desert scrub. However, they adapt to very humid and poorly drained soils, where the accumulated water is only lost through evaporation or filtration.

It grows on calcareous, clay-silty soils, with a neutral or alkaline pH 6-6.8, with a low content of organic matter and mineral elements. Likewise, they are located at altitude levels between 500-2,400 meters above sea level, in arid climates and xerophytic environments.

The prevailing climatic conditions of the ecosystem where the izote develops present average values ​​of 23-30º C of temperature and 250-500 mm of precipitation. This plant thrives in full sun or semi-shade exposure, although it supports occasional frosts, it is susceptible to temperatures below 5ºC.

Yucca filifera is native to Mexico and is found throughout the northeast region of the country; being frequent in the states of Coahuila, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Mexico, Michoacán, Nuevo León, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas.

Flowered plants in their natural habitat. Source: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE

It is part of the dominant vegetation of the western mountains of Coahuila, constituting the so-called "belt of palms". This species usually grows in single colonies or in association with other shrubby species, such as jarillas (Larrea sp.) Or chilcas (Flourensia sp.).

Applications

Food

The flowers and fruits have been used in an ancient way by the natives of the region as raw material as a dressing for the preparation of typical dishes. In fact, whole clusters of flowers or young berries are sold in popular markets.

It is advisable to consume them tender, since when they mature they tend to acquire a bitter taste. They are generally eaten breaded, stewed, in egg pancakes or served alone with a green chili sauce and tomatoes.

Textiles

Izote leaves are raw material to obtain quality fibers, hard and resistant, used in cordage and basketry. Likewise, with these izote fibers mixed with other species, cords, ropes, cables, sacks and handbags are made.

Forage

The young stems, young leaves and immature inflorescences are used in some areas as a food supplement for cattle and goats.

Medicinal

The cooking of the roots of the izote has laxative effects, due to the presence of saponins. In addition, the seeds can be used dried and crushed to make a tea with anthelmintic properties to purge children.

Details of the sheets. Source: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE

Soap making

The leaves and the root have a considerable content of saponins. These compounds are steroid or triterpenoid glycosides with soap-like properties, being used in the production of handmade soaps.

Filling

The spongy part of the izote stems are used as stuffing for cushions or saddles for beasts of burden.

Building

Although the logs are somewhat dense and fragile, they are used to make rural buildings, such as huts or fences. On the other hand, the leaves and dried bark are used as a covering for the roofs of huts and bower.

Fuel

The dried logs and leaves are used as fuel in the mining, mixing and brick industries.

Ornamental

The izote is used in some regions as an ornamental in parks and gardens, either alone or in groups through rockery or rocky areas.

Agroforestry

This species adapts to xerophilous conditions and dry environments, making it ideal for reforesting arid areas.

References

1. Agavoideae. (2018). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
2. Cambrón Sandoval, VH, Malda Barrera, G., Suzán Azpiri, H., Salim, D., & Francisco, J. (2013). Germination behavior of Yucca filifera Chabaud seeds with different storage periods. Mexican Cacti and Succulents, 58 (3).
3. Granados-Sánchez, D., & López-Ríos, GF (1998). Yucca “izote” from the desert ”. Chapingo Magazine Forestry and Environmental Sciences Series, 4 (1), 179-192.
4. Ortiz, DG, & Van der Meer, P. (2009). The genus Yucca L. in Spain (Vol. 2). José Luis Benito Alonso. Bouteloua Magazine.
5. Yucca filifera. (2017). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org