Common Name: Sahuiliqui

General Information

Yucca grandiflora is an evergreen, succulent, tree-like perennial plant. It produces a main stem 3 - 4 metres high that branches from the base and also near the top, a rosette of leaves is produced at the end of each stem with indiividual leaves 70 - 100cm long and 4 - 5cm wide[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of fibre.. The leaves are of potential value to the pharmaceutical industry and the plant is used as an ornamental. Yucca grandiflora is cultivated in Tucson, southern Arizona and the fruits ('datilillo') are used for human consumption[] (This suggests, but does not specifically state, that the plant is cultivated for its fruit[].)
Yucca grandiflora is scattered where it occurs, with very low population densities and a low reproduction rate. However, it has a wide distribution range and occurs in some isolated areas of difficult access and relatively secure from disturbance. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southwest N. America - northwest Mexico (Sonora)

Habitat

Gentle slopes and ridges, with volcanic or limestone and calcareous rocks, mixed with oak trees at lower elevations and desert scrub and thorn scrub at higher elevations; at elevations from 600 - 1,500 metres[]

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Moths
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

This species has a very slow growth rate, taking 15 - 24 years to reach sexual maturity[].

Edible Uses

Fruits - raw or cooked. A sweet flavour eaten raw, they are said by some to be even nicer when roasted[].. The large, fleshy fruits can be up to 20cm long and 5cm in diameter. Bitter-tasting when immature, when very ripe they become soft and very sweet in flavour[, ]. The seeds are fairly large, they are not usually eaten since they contain high concentrations of bitter-tasting sapogenins[]
The immature fruits are occasionally consumed[]. When mature, the fruits are dry and inedible[]. This last comment is probably a mistake, this species is related to Yucca baccata and, like that species has a fleshy-fruit[].

Flower petals - cooked like fresh squash[]. Rich in vitamins[]

Medicinal

The leaves contain around 1.4% sapogenins, these are steroidal compounds that are regarded as precursors to cortisone and other related drugs. The fairly high percentage value of sarsasapogenin make this species of potential value to the pharmaceutical industry[].

Other Uses

The leaves are a source of fibre[].

Propagation

Seed -