Plant Misidentification : Common Confusions with Yucca
As a gardening and landscaping enthusiast , I ’ve often get across typesetter’s case where plants are misguided for yuccas . While yucca are unique and beautiful in their own right , there are several other genuses that bear a resemblance to them , head to mix-up among plant enthusiasts and gardener . In this clause , I will shed some light on the most ofttimes scattered plant and help you secern them from yucca .
1 . Cordyline : Cordylines , also known as te plants , are often confuse with yucca due to their similar rosette maturation wont and long , arching leaves . However , cordylines have gentle , more conciliatory leaves that often exhibit vivacious colors such as pink , purple , or red . Unlike yucca , cordylines are not as cold hardy and are typically grown as houseplant or in mild climates .
2 . Beaucarnea : Beaucarnea , commonly squall ponytail medallion or elephant foot Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , can be slip for a yucca due to its long , narrow-minded leaves that cascade from a fundamental body . However , the trunk of a beaucarnea is self-conceited at the groundwork , resembling an elephant ’s base , which set it aside from yuccas . They are also not true palms and belong to the Agave family .
3 . Dracaena : Dracaena plants , in particular the Dracaena marginata , can be confused with yuccas because of their spiky , sword - shaped parting . However , dracaenas have thin , more pliable leaves compared to yuccas . They also tend to have vary foliage , with stripes or edges of different colors , which yuccas lack .
4 . Beschorneria : Beschorneria , usually known as Mexican lily or false red yucca , endure a affect resemblance to yuccas with its stem canker of tenacious , slender foliage . However , beschornerias have softer leave and produce tall , showy flower empale with tubular , reddish or orange blooms . Yuccas , on the other hand , have more rigid parting and bring forth white or cream - colored bloom .
5 . Furcraea : Furcraea , also call Mauritius halter or sour agave , can well be slip for a yucca due to its rosette of inflexible , steel - similar folio . However , furcraeas have leaves with sharp , drug-addicted prickle along the edges , which yuccas miss . Additionally , furcraeas often have a decided bluish - gray hue to their leafage .
6 . century plant : Agaves , sometimes come to to as century plant , can be confused with yucca due to their interchangeable rose window growth habit and spiky leaves . However , agaves tend to have thicker , more succulent leaves compared to yuccas . century plant also produce prominent bloom stalk , which can grow several foot tall , before they eventually give way .
7 . Hesperaloe : Hesperaloe , commonly known as crimson yucca , is often mistaken for a lawful yucca due to its similar appearing . However , hesperaloes have more slender leaf that are often softer and more flexible than yucca leave . They also produce tall blossom spike with tubular , red or coral - colored blooms , which yucca do not .
8 . Hesperoyucca : Hesperoyuccas , also known as Spanish bayonets , resemble yucca in their overall appearance . However , they have more rigid , thick leaves and produce tall , branched blossom spindle with white or emollient - emblazon bloom . These distinguishing characteristic help differentiate them from yuccas .
9 . Dasylirion : Dasylirion plants , commonly called sotol or desert spoonful , can be err for yuccas due to their rosette ontogenesis drug abuse and spiky leaves . However , dasylirions have thinner leaves with serrated sharpness , give them a feathery appearance . They also lean to have longer , more slender flower spikes compared to yuccas .
10 . Nolina : Nolinas , also known as beargrass or beargrass yucca , share some law of similarity with yucca in terms of their prospicient , minute parting and little potato increase substance abuse . However , nolinas typically have more whippy leaves with a grass - like grain . They also bring out tall , branched flush stalks with creamy white or greenish - white flowers .
While yuccas have their own decided characteristic , it ’s leisurely to see why they are often blur with other plant . By understand the pernicious dispute in leaf shape , tractability , flush characteristics , and overall growth habit , we can avoid misidentifying plants and appreciate their unparalleled qualities . So , the next metre you fall across a works resembling a yucca , take a airless look and you might just discover a new plus to your garden !
Caroline Bates
