36 



TREES AND SHRUBS 



Bear Grass (Nolina microcarpa). This vernacular name 

 is applied in the southwestern part of the State to a plant 

 somewhat closely resembling the last. The leaves, however, 

 are stiffer and thicker (sometimes triangular in cross sec- 

 tions) and without the teeth, though frequently rough. The 

 flowers are small and white, borne in a central panicle vary- 

 ing in height (as does the plant) with the species. .They 

 might be used effectively any place where the Sotol would 

 grow. 



YUCCA L. Yucca. 



A genus of thick-stemmed, (in two species the stem is short 

 and mostly subterannean). stiff-leaved perennials the different 

 species of which form a rather conspicuous part of the vegetation 

 on the mesas and plains of the State, extending into the drier and 

 rockier foothills and mountains. They are commonly referred to by 

 Buch names ns Spanish Bayonet. Soap-weed, or Bear-grass. 



Leaves narrow, 10 mm. broad or less, lhnear 

 lanceolate, tipped with a sharp spine; fila- 

 ments slender and white; fruit dry. 

 Stems conspicuous (except In young plantsl. 

 reaching a height of 10 to 15 feet in old 

 plants, often several together in a cluster, 

 simple or branched; leaves In a cluster 

 at the top, the lower ones reflexed; old 

 dead ones sheathing the stem almost to 

 the base; Inflorencence a tall widely 

 spreading panicle 6 to 10 feet high; flow- 

 ers numerous, usually ivory white. 

 Stem short and mostly subterannean, oc- 

 casionally caespitose; upper leaves spread- 

 ing, the lower prostrate upon the ground; 

 inflorencence 3 to 5 feet high usually not 

 much branched; flowers not very numer- 

 ous, greenish white or white. 

 Leaves bright green, rather rigidly diver- 

 gent, 6 to 10 mm. broad; filaments not 

 very abundant; flowers greenish white 

 with enlarged style; fruit 2 to 4 inches 

 long. 



Leaves yellowish green, 2 to 5 mm. wide, al- 

 most triangular In cross section, abun- 

 dantly curly filiferous below; flowers 

 white, style not turgid: fruit about 2 

 inches long. 



Y. radiosa. 



Y. plauca. 



1. Y. angustiasima. 



