Tendrils

Spring Yucca Blooms

I went out on the back hillside this afternoon to get photographs of the Yucca filamentosa with its spears emerging, soon to be blossoms. Those spears resemble the asparagus that is growing in the vegetable garden, several feet away. Much to my surprise, as I was searching the Internet for information on Yuccas, I discovered that they’re in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae.

Why is this species of Yucca called filamentosa? You can see why, in this second image from this afternoon. Oodles of threadlike filaments curling from the leaves.

A month from now there will be gorgeous Yucca blooms. Bringing me pure pleasure.

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Brenda Clements Jones

5 responses to “Spring Yucca Blooms”

    • Dear Diane,
      So very glad that you enjoyed my post about my Yucca filamentosa. My husband was born and raised in New Mexico where the Yucca is the official state flower. The state of New Mexico and its flower are both very special to me.
      Thank you so much for reading my posts!
      Bren

  2. Brenda, I never imagined a yucca, which is the state flower of New Mexico, growing in Virginia. Those of us living here think of it as a desert plant because it needs so little water to survive. Now, as I see those white blossoms which are in bloom here now, I will know you share them with us.

    • Hi Tom!

      So very glad that we do share them. I remember while living in Las Cruces I loved to go out and sketch the Yucca plants. I don’t know what happened to those sketches. Surely they’re around here somewhere. We have two species in the yard here – Yucca filamentosa, and Yucca gloriosa. It is the filamentosa species that is about to bloom. The gloriosa species blooms in the autumn. The Yucca filamentosa is for sure a native to Virginia, in almost every county, and although I see Yucca gloriosa listed as being native to Virginia that seems to be a strong maybe. It is definitely native to *almost* Virginia though in northern North Carolina along the coast.

      I didn’t mention in my post that not only is the species, Yucca neomexicana the official flower of New Mexico but Yucca (I can’t find a specific species mentioned) is the official flower of El Salvador. My dear friend and Spanish teacher is from El Salvador, so through her, El Salvador is also special to me.

      Hugs to you and Pam!
      Bren