158 



The Yuccas 



linear-oblong, from 4.5 to 8 dm. long; the base, which is sometimes i dm. wide, 

 is thickened, dark red, shining, and abruptly contracted into the blade, which 

 gradually widens to about the middle, where it is about 4 cm. wide and concave, 

 the margins almost touching near the dark-colored, stout, stiff, sharp-pointed 



apex; the margins are entire, 

 Hght brown before separating 

 into many, smooth, long, gray, 

 thick threads. The flowers, 

 appearing from March to May, 

 are in smooth or roughish red- 

 dish panicles, which are 3 to 

 4.5 dm. long and sessile or 

 nearly so ; the bracts are green 

 or white; the flowers are erect 

 at first but finally droop, 2.5 to 

 4 cm. long, their perianth-di- 

 visions spreading and slightly 

 united at the base, thickened, 

 somewhat concave and hairy 

 at the apex, the outer series 

 thickened, keeled, narrowed 

 at the base and often pur- 

 plish tinged; the stamens are 

 as long as the pistil, their fila- 

 ments somewhat hair}^; ovary sessile, somewhat 3-lobed, about i cm. long, nar- 

 rowed above the very short, 3-grooved style. The fruit is drooping, indehiscent 

 and fleshy, yellowish, becoming purpHsh and finally black, 7.5 to 10 cm. long, 

 nearly one half as thick, more or less constricted above the middle, rounded at 

 the base, abruptly narrowed at the apex into a stout tip, the flesh sweetish and 

 juicy; the seeds are 8 mm. wide, 3 mm. thick, with a narrow border to the rim. 

 The wood is soft, porous, and light brown; its specific gravity is about 0.27. 

 It is used only by the Indians, who also employ the leaf fibers in their basketry, 

 and for making cordage. 



Except by its shorter style, this species differs little from Torrey's Yucca. 



Fig. 118. Mohave Yucca. 



