YUCCAS 583 
a spine, the margins devoid of distinct teeth, but frequently furnished 
with fine filaments, long and distant. The flowers are rather large and 
pendulous, in large many-flowered panicles. The six perianth-segments 
are distinct, or slightly connected at their base, more or less oval in 
shape, and rather thick in substance. “There are six stamens with 
thick filaments, ranged round the fleshy ovary, which develops into the 
large, fleshy, spongy, or dry three-valved fruit. They are natives of the 
Southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. 
Yuccas are variously known as Adam’s Needle, Spanish 
Bayonet, Bear’s Grass, and some of the species have their 
own distinctive popular names, as the one we have figured (Plate 272), 
Yucca filamentosa, which is popularly the Silk Grass. Yueca gloriosa, 
the Mound Lily, was in cultivation here earlier than the year 1596, 
having been brought from North America. Y. filamentosa was intro- 
duced from Virginia in 1675, and Y. alozfolia, whose home extends from 
North Carolina to the West Indies, was introduced in 1696. The slender- 
leaved Y. angustifolia came from Missouri in 1811; Y. glauca from 
North America, 1814; Y. treculeana from Mexico, 1858; and Y. gigantea 
from the same neighbourhood in the following year. A number of 
others have been introduced, but the above selection comprises the best 
of those generally grown. ‘There are a number of varieties of each. 
Yucca ALOIFOLIA (Aloe-leaved). Stem usually un- 
branched in this country, 15 to 20 feet high. Leaves 
sword-shaped, 12 to 18 inches long, over an inch broad, slightly glaucous, 
ending in a reddish horny tip, the margins rough and whitish. Flowers 
white, 1} to 2 inches long, in a dense panicle 1 to 2 feet long; May and 
une. Requires greenhouse protection. The variegated form is a 
handsome plant. 
Y. ANGUSTIFOLIA (slender-leaved). Stem stout, short. Leaves very 
slender, rigid, 14 to 2 feet long, and about } inch broad; channeled, 
sharp-pointed; margins pale reddish brown, furnished with many 
filaments. Flowers greenish, 2 to 2+ inches long, in a terminal panicle 
3 or 4 feet long; July. Hardy. 
Y. FILAMENTOSA (thready). Silk Grass; Adam’s Needle-and-Thread. 
Stemless, or nearly so. Leaves swor d-shaped, Reed-like, slightly glaucous, 
1} to 2 feet long, 2 inches broad; margins whitish, clothed with long silky 
filaments. Flowers white, with a greenish tinge, 14 to 2 inches long, in 
a panicle with zigzag branches 6 inches long; June. Hardy. Plate 272, 
The variegated form is usually grown in greenhouses, 
. FLEXILIS (flexible). Stem short, unbranched. Leaves very 
slender, 2} feet long, slightly plaited, with sharp point and brown horny 
History. 
Principal Species. 
