Family: Asparagaceae
Author: Nutt.
Bibliography: Cat. Pl. Upper Louisiana: 89 (1813)
Year: 1813
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Yucca
Vegetable: False
Observations: S. Alberta to N. Texas
Description
Bear-grass, scientifically known as Yucca glauca, is a striking and resilient member of the Asparagaceae family. This plant was first catalogued in 1813 in the Catalogue of Plants of the Upper Louisiana by Nutt.
Bear-grass is indigenous to a broad range stretching from southern Alberta in Canada to northern Texas in the United States. It thrives in a variety of terrains including prairies, foothills, and even rocky outcrops, showcasing its adaptability to different environments.
The plant is characterized by its dense clusters of narrow, blade-like leaves, which can give an almost grass-like appearance despite being a yucca. These leaves are typically blue-green, which is hinted at in its species name, glauca, meaning “bluish-grey.” Bear-grass is also notable for its impressive flower stalks that can reach several feet in height, adorned with creamy white to yellowish flowers. This floral display generally occurs in late spring to early summer, providing a vital source of nectar for pollinating insects and other fauna.
Yucca glauca plays a significant ecological role in its native habitat. It serves as a food source for various wildlife, and its leaves have been traditionally used by indigenous peoples for making woven items and crafting materials due to their toughness and fibrous nature.
Bear-grass is not just a wildland plant; it has also found its way into ornamental gardening. It serves as an excellent choice for xeriscaping due to its drought tolerance and low maintenance needs.
Through its wide range and distinctive characteristics, Bear-grass (Yucca glauca) remains an enduring symbol of North America’s diverse and resilient native flora.
Common Names
Eng: great plains yucca, spanish bayonet, bear-grass, beargrass, small soapweed, soapweed, soapweed yucca, soapwell, yucca, small soapweed yucca
Deu: blaugrüne palmlilie
Fra: yucca glauque
En: Bear-grass, Yucca, Great Plains yucca, Small soapweed, Soapweed, Soapwell, SOAPWEED YUCCA, Spanish bayonet, Beargrass, Small soapweed yucca
Fr: Yucca glauque
De: Blaugrüne Palmlilie
Synonyms
- Yucca angustifolia f. genuina (Engelm.)
- Yucca glauca var. gurneyi (McKelvey)
- Yucca angustifolia var. stricta ((Sims) Baker)
- Yucca stricta (Sims)
- Yucca angustifolia f. stricta ((Sims) Voss)
- Yucca glauca var. stricta ((Sims) Trel.)
- Yucca glauca rosea (D.M.Andrews)
- Yucca glauca f. rosea ((D.M.Andrews) Rehder)
- Yucca glauca subsp. albertana (Hochstätter)
- Yucca glauca subsp. stricta ((Sims) Hochstätter)
Distribution
- Alberta (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Texas (native)
- Wyoming (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Mar 29, 2022 by Manuela Guadalupe (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Cindy Cindy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 12, 2020 by Louis Grech (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Franco Tavarozzi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 28, 2019 by Leite Danny (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Rebou at de.wikipedia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Rebou at de.wikipedia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Rebou at de.wikipedia (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2019 by Edward Lau (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − وزارة الداخلية الأمريكية. مكتب إدارة الأراضي. الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، ولاية يوتا، مقاطعة كين. أغسطس 2003 (public)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − وزارة الداخلية الأمريكية. مكتب إدارة الأراضي. الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، ولاية يوتا، مقاطعة كين. أغسطس 2003 (public)
Taken Jul 29, 2022 by Sierra Johnston (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Oct 13, 2020 by lawrence waldron (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Jennifer Rattiner (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 18, 2022 by Robert Powell (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Susan Brandt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 18, 2019 by Christina Christina (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2775497)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1189808-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Yucca glauca Nutt.)
Specifications
Growth form>: Rhizomatous
Growth habit>: Subshrub, Shrub, Forb/herb
Growth rate>: Moderate
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.5
Ph minimum: 7.0