Family: Asparagaceae

These are usually single-trunked plants sometimes with multiple heads. The leaves are usually 1.5-2’ long. The white flowers are on 2’ panicles in late spring or early summer. The common name “beaked yucca” is in reference to the woody fruits that have beaks on the ends.

Plant in full sun, some shade is tolerated. Low water when established but supplemental once or twice a month in summer is recommended, especially in years of low rainfall. Hardy to 5-10°F.

The specific epithet 'rostrata' means "beaked" in reference to either the shape of the flower buds or appendages on the fruit.

A related plant (sometimes considered the same species, sometimes separated ) Y. thompsoniana, is a slightly shorter plant and grows north of Y. rostrata. It is also more cold tolerant taking temperatures well below 0°F.

Yucca rostrata is found in northern Mexico (Chihuahua and Coahuila) and into Brewster County in Texas. Y. thompsoniana is found more north of Y. rostrata in the trans-Pecos region of Texas.

Photo by Cody Stricker, iNaturalist