NAZ Flora: A Photographic, Annotated Catalog of Northern Arizona Vascular Plants, published by Mindbird Maps & Books

Yucca elata var. verdiensis*

Verde Valley Soaptree Yucca

A member of the Liliaceae, the Lily Family**

**More commonly included within the Agavaceae

*I originally referred the specimens in the photos below to Y. angustissima primarily relying on the acaulescent (stemless) habit which was thought to be a key characteristic in Flora of North America, Volume 26.  I haven't noted any caulescent specimens (with stems or trunks) in the area.  But John L. Hawker, a botanist who has studied the group and hopes to publish a guide to the western Agavaceae of the US, believes my identification was incorrect, and that the Verde Valley plants I photographed were likely all Y. elata var. verdiensis based primarily on the character of the inflorescence.
 
It has been suggested (see FNA-26) that Y. e. var. verdiensis might be a hybrid between Y. elata var. elata and Y. angustissima.  My taxonomic philosophy is inclined toward lumping, but if it were demonstrated that Y. elata and Y. angustissima were different phases of the same species, the name Y. elata would have precedence over Y. angustissima.

Habit of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Verde Valley, Arizona.

Habit, in bloom.

Near border of Prescott National Forest, west of Cottonwood.
At ca. 3640 feet elevation.

28 May 2007.

 

Habitat of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Verde Valley, Arizona.

Habitat, same plant as in image above.

Mingus Mountain on horizon.

28 May 2007.

 

Foliage detail of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Verde Valley, Arizona.

Foliage detail.
Same plant as in prior images.

28 May 2007.

 

Part of inflorescence of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Verde Valley, Arizona.

Part of inflorescence.
Same plant as in prior images.

28 May 2007.

 

Part of inflorescence of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Verde Valley, Arizona.

Part of inflorescence.
Same plant as in prior images.

28 May 2007.

 

Part of inflorescence of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Verde Valley, Arizona.

Flower detail with ants.
Same plant as in prior images.

28 May 2007.

 

Fruits of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.

Fruit detail.

Coconino National Forest: About a mile and half east of Main Street
along East Mingus, at ca. 3440 feet elevation.

10 June 2007.

 

Fruiting inflorescence of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.

Fruiting inflorescence, same plant as in prior image.

10 June 2007.

 

Habit of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.

Habit, in fruit.
Same plant as in prior image.

10 June 2007.

 

Seeds of Yucca elata var. verdiensis, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.

Seeds from plant in same vicinity as plant in prior image.
One seed is held end-on in the paper clip, to show thinness.

8 August 2007.

 

Photographs copyright © Lee Dittmann

This page created 14 June 2007; last revised 4 October 2010.

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