Yucca filamentosa L.

Caudex short, to 3 or 4 dm; lvs numerous, stiff, linear-elliptic to linear-spatulate, to 8 dm, 2–7 cm wide, fibrous along the margins, abruptly prolonged into a short stout spine, ± scabrous; infl paniculate, many-fld, rising to 1–3 m, its base elevated well above the lvs; tep 5–7 × 2–3 cm, rounded above, short-acuminate; style nearly 1 cm; stigmas slender; fr thick-cylindric, 2–4 cm; seeds 6 mm. Sand-dunes and dry sandy soil, especially near the coast; Md. to Fla. and La.; often escaped from cult. farther n. June–Sept. (Y. concava; Y. smalliana)

Sand dunes, waste ground and pine forests along the coastal plain. Dry, sandy soils along the coast, rocky and sandy places, bluffs, thin woods, oldfields and other open areas.

The flower stalks are boiled or roasted. The flowers are eaten raw or boiled. The plum-like fruit are eaten.

Can be grown by cuttings, divisions, seedlings or suckers. Seeds needs soaking.