People describe it as resembling that of artichoke, but I don’t agree. Some blog posts here include links to products on Amazon. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Most people think of yuccas as denizens of the desert, and they are indeed drought tolerant and tough as nails. The UFO page on the Green Deane Forum is along those lines. Saponins - plant based steroidal compounds found in yucca plants. The yuca (YEW-ka)  in the grocery store is a cultivated cassava and has one edible part BELOW ground. And fried yucca flowers are especially good. If you’re lucky enough to find yucca blossoms, either in the garden or in the wild, it’s time to give them a taste. Try one — ONE — petal, not only blossom, one petal and wait 20 minutes. Fortunately, they’re easy to spot against the pale white blooms. This breaks the fibers and releases the soapy It grows in sandy soils, especially on sand dunes along the coast. Yucca is used in manybrecipes calling for potato or in baked goods. They are members of the Lily family. Many species also bear edible parts, including fruits, seeds, flowers, flowering stems, and more rarely roots. For you survivalists, the yucca provides more than food. Lol. The two get confused due to that missing C, but yuca is the plant you may have tried in trendy Latin bistros. Chemicals in the roots of some species are used to make soap. All Yucca flowers are nutritious and edible and used as garnish in salads, drinks and desserts. Not sure about horses. Yuccas grow over much of North America; hardiness depends on species. Yuccas are widely grown as ornamental plants in gardens. Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. Spruce Needle and Spruce Tip Ice Cream: Recipe. I came across this site several months ago. Just saw your video on eating the Florida yucca. Very light, but strong enough for that. Yucca roots are edible roasted. Flower petals, raw or cooked though raw they usually give me a stomach ache, at best throat ache. Yucca Petals (Yucca species) These beautiful white edible flowers have a crunchy consistency and a mildly sweet taste with a hint of artichoke. Dont think my picky gals would eat a large, bitter one, but since they spread new, young ones, I think I’ll plant them in the yard. The bitter cassava variety is not sold in usa because it has to processed to leech out poisen juice aka arenic to produce baked goods. Your email address will not be published. You can cut the stalk easily when it’s green… but you need a saw if it drys. I don’t know if it was the extra storage time or the cooking method, but either way, it turned out really nice. Yeah, that’s it! Banana Yucca (Yucca batata) There are different varieties of yucca species, however, not all of them are edible. When the root is pulverized and added to water it creates a foam. If you want to be absolutely accurate, almost all palm fruits are edible, though I would not really recommend eating most of them. Species Yucca filamentosa L. – Adam's needle P: Species Not poisonous to humans the flowers are edible as the seed pods after boiling the spikes green things are used as soap. Thanks! There are hundreds of bamboo species, and 110 of them are edible. Some are stemless, while others reach tree size. Still alive. What’s the difference? I seeded it (because I want to grow it), cleaned out the fibers in the center, wrapped it in foil, and roasted it in the oven for about 45 minutes. Edible yucca root, or cassava, belongs to the family Agavaceae, with 40 to 59 species, some of which are edible. Cant beat a plant that offers sooo much: Edible, medicinal, fire drill, cordage, soap, and a sewing needle! Kind of on the sweet/spicy side and a strange taste. Yucca filamentosa leaves, great for cordage. Cassava is also used to make a type of chicha aka beer. Yucca is the genus comprising more than 40 different evergreen plants in the agave family, characterized by narrow, pointed leaves. As the plant gets older, the base of the grayish trunk swells, taking on … Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Root Cutting Seed Country Or Region Of Origin: Long Island and PA, s. to FL and LA Distribution: 78. IDENTIFICATION: Erect plant with tall, thick central stem, 4 to 25 feet high, sometimes branched, long dagger-like leaves shedding threads, flowers tulip-like, waxy, drooping. Great under tension and some abrasion. I’ve read that the pistils and stamens are bitter and/or toxic, and should be discarded, and I’ve also read that the entire flower and fruit are safe and flavorful. Joshua Trees are a species of Yucca plant (Yucca Brevifolia) In some states, Joshua Trees are protected by law. When it is spelt with one “C” as in yuca. Sorry for the long post (and um… really late. Two friends report that eating raw flowers caused them to have an itchy throat, but neither my husband nor I experience that. But they don’t. Yucca, (genus Yucca), genus of about 40 species of succulent plants in the agave subfamily of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), native to southern North America. Only just caught the date on the one to which I’m replying. Dead flower stalks are great for bean poles. Yucca plants are not only grown outdoors in the landscape but they make lovely additions in the home when grown as houseplants. They appears to have “sugar spots,” so I assume they’re ripe. When the flower stalk emerges in early spring (in the next month or so), it is a prime wild delicacy. They are also destroyed by prolonged heat, such as slow baking in an oven. Some are stemless, while others reach tree size. I was totally stunned by how good it turned out! Its head and tail are black in color, and most of the … Yucca, two C’s, officially is native to the hot, dry parts of North and Central America and the West Indies. Yucca, also known as Yucca schidigera or Yucca spp., is an ornamental plant that produces certain edible species. I speak from experience when I say that the flowers of Y. filamentosa and Y. glauca are also edible and tasty. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to August. Roast seed, crush, boil until tender. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website. Bear in mind, the roots (as with most desert plants) go halfway to China. They are members of the Lily family. Your email address will not be published. Many species also bear edible parts, including fruits, seeds, flowers, flowering stems, and more rarely roots. Most species of yucca are stemless, with a rosette of stiff sword I’m sorry Winston, I’ve never seen them for sale. Yucca Species: filamentosa Family: Asparagaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): The Native Americans used it for a variety of purposes including food, medicine, cordage and soap. , Argh… I’m a dork and only just saw the “bushmint” part. Nutritious Yucca stems sold in U.S. grocery stores are a species imported mainly from Costa Rica. The yucca in my garden is Y. baccata. Common names include aloe yucca,[4] dagger plant,[5] and Spanish bayonet. Funny, but it’s native, yet there are none in the area. Garfuna natorious for this dish. You could also add them to a quiche, soup, or stew. This won’t cost you a penny, but the teeny tiny bit I earn will help offset the expenses of maintaining this website. Caution: Make sure you know which bamboo type you are eating. Yucca schidigera is an evergreen Tree growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in). But last week, when I collected my first flowers of the season, I was happy to see that many of them had already been pollinated. Little did I know how unusual that windfall was. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Hand. Sorry, um… the sun was in my eyes! One last side-note: if you want to make your beloved and beautiful Yucca Moths happy (our friendly neighbourhood Yucca pollinators), grow some Licorice Mint (Agastache foeniculum). According to the ASPCA, yucca plants are not poisonous to humans, but they do contain compounds that make them toxic to horses, cats and dogs. Sweet cassava is only one sold commersially in usa. Many species of yucca produce edible flowers, but the giant yucca also is prized for its ornamental qualities. Note: It is unclear to me which species of yucca root is edible. ’bout a teaspoon of the ground up root 2-3 times a day (especially in the morning, ’cause mornings are the worst!). The leaves are numerous from the base, commonly long, narrow and spine-tipped. Yucca flowers and flower stalks are edible. Cut the trunk into strips with small cross sections; hit them with a heavy rock a few times to soften them. These lovely evergreen plants with sword-shaped leaves and annual clusters of white flowers are a dramatic addition to any garden. ), * One cup cooked Yucca flowers (boiled down from one quart fresh yucca flowers). Yucca flowers and fruits are edible fresh or dried. Though different yucca produce different colored blooms, the flower skin tends to be thick and almost leathery. You’ll read lots of different things about the edibility of yucca blossoms online (and remember, everything you read on the internet is true). It grows wild here in DeSoto County, Florida and is native from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America I believe. Yucca Flower Seed Pod Survival Food Edible Uses: Fully ripe fruit – raw, cooked or dried for winter use. They LOVE the flowers (and why not? Arugula, raddichio, and dandelions are all bitter greens you’d pay good money for in the supermarket. The status of the 284 species names for the genus Yucca recorded in The Plant List, are as follows: Status Total Accepted 50 17.6% Synonym 193 68.0% Unplaced 33 11.6% Unassessed 8 2.8% All … Many species of yucca produce edible flowers, but the giant yucca also is prized for its ornamental qualities. Most of the plant is edible, actually, and many people eat that asparagus stalk. As the plant gets older, the base of the grayish trunk swells, taking on … I have to say that the blossoms are onion-like in texture but don’t taste like an onion. The dead and dry stem is a great spindle for friction sets. The bulbs are the most commonly eaten part of yellow, red and white garden onions, while scallions are usually harvested for their stalks, although the white base is also edible. Most on internet get it confused with the yuca tree, so Im not always sure what to believe. The roots of A wide variety of plant species provide edible seeds; most are angiosperms, while a few are gymnosperms.As a global food source, the most important edible seeds by weight are cereals, followed by legumes, nuts, then spices. Are all yucca edible? Just saw your utube video of several growing along a road and pasture. It is hardy to zone (UK) 4. There are lots of recipes for yucca blossoms in eggs, soups, stews, and my favorite: yucca blossom quesadillas. Unless and until I get totally mad at her and him for digging my garden s up. This is clearly the case, as yucca flowers can either grace a salad or ruin it, depending on how Spine arrangement, length and shape help tell the species apart. Yucca flowers and fruits are edible fresh or dried. I have not used the leaf coating or root for soap yet. Closely related to lilies there are three major parts which are edible: Flowers, stalks or basal rosettes, and the sap. Species List: A Species List displays the scientific names and some known common names forYucca. The pulp, sweetened, can be use for pies or boil dry to a paste, dry in oven as a sheet. Growing interest by health conscious consumers who favor all natural products. Yucca is native to hot, arid regions of North, Central and South America. A belly ache, maybe more. Its head and tail are black in color, and most of the times you may fail to distinguish when the snake is coiled. Roots of soaptree yucca (Yucca elata) are high in saponinsand are used as a shampoo in Native American rituals. (The Spanish name amole is applied to a number of unrelated plant species from which soap is made.) Several weeks ago, I found a banana yucca with huge 8-10″ long fruits on it, so I grabbed one. Yuccas grow over much of North America; hardiness depends on species. All have tough, sword- shaped leaves and large clusters of white or whitish, rounded to bell-shaped flowers. Yi-haw! Several types of yucca plants have edible flowers and fruit, including the banana yucca and soapweed yucca. It’s not. Fruit cylindrical to 5 inches  with purple skin and pulp, many seeds, TIME OF YEAR: Blossoms in late spring, early summer, fruits later in the year in northern climes, ENVIRONMENT: Usually dry but not arid areas but some species like it arid. I actually think I’ve going to use the cooked flesh in some sort of dumpling or empanada. I stashed it in the fridge for about 6 weeks, before I was finally got around the cooking it. I live in SW New Mexico, and in my yard have a banana yucca that bloomed and now has fruits. Some species have high concentrations of mercury, which is a heavy metal that at high concentrations is highly toxic for the human body, and although most fish contain it, they vary their levels according to habitats and species. BTW, haven’t seen it mentioned here, but yucca (“cc”) root can also be chopped (or ground up) and boiled, and is good for arthritis. Yucca wood — read the dry flower stalk  — has the lowest kindling temperature of any wood, desirable for fire starting, especially if you are using a bow and drill. Boil Yucca flowers in an abundance of water for about 10 minutes and drain well. References to yucca root as food often arise from confusion with the similarly pronounced, but botanically unrelated, yuca, also called cassava or manioc ( Manihot esculenta ). It is sometimes called yuca spelled with one C. This causes some confusion because people say oh they eat yucca all the time. During the summer agaves can produce several pounds of flowers each, which can be boiled or roasted. Edible as is or mix with other food. Types of Yucca Plants. Oops!). They’re all tasty, but the first time you try the flowers, prepare them simply, so you can get acquainted with their flavor. Yuccas are usually large plants that have either a distinct, woody trunk above ground or thick, branching, mostly underground main stems. According to plants.jstor.org the leaves are used in Africa in sauces, and as a condiment, spice, and flavoring. Yuca is the plant from which tapioca flour and pearls are derived. In addition, yucca uses are different; it is mostly added to shampoos for Native America rituals. Its leaves are used in fires started through fiction due to their low ignition temperature. You can also peel first. Some day I'd like to visit the big fields of lavender, but for now … Efforts to protect them are evident by the designation of Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California, which covers 1235 square miles, two deserts (Colorado and Mojave), and six mountain ranges (Cottonwood, Hexle, Little San Bernadino, Pinto, Eagle, and Coxcomb. Young short flower stalks long before they blossom are also edible. Yucca filamentosa is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in) at a medium rate. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). Would I cook the fruit and seeds the same way you recommended for the species you showed? I also came across a bit of info that stated you can grind the root into a pulp and use it as a fish stunner. With some of the yuccas you can crush the root, and shampoo with the juice. Yucca belongs to the family of plants known as Asparagaceae. References to yucca root as food often arise from confusion with the similarly pronounced, but botanically unrelated, yuca, also called cassava or manioc (Manihot esculenta). Wash your yucca blossoms well when you get them home. Almost all garden centers or plant stores will stock at least one or two varieties of Yucca. All species of pine actually produce edible nuts. You simply have to try them carefully. Great information to have on hand, but very illegal when put into practice. Several varieties of Yucca plants bear edible flowers and fruit, … The yucca (YUK-ka) in the wild has several edible parts ABOVE ground. It is hardy to zone (UK) 8. Care: Outdoors yuccas prefer a full sun position with a well-drained sandy soil. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. In the end, I listen to the sources I trust the most, and you must do the same. Yes the research is correct. An edible seed is a seed that is suitable for human or animal consumption. METHOD OF PREPARATION: Six-sided fruits edible raw or cooked, rubbery and bitter, cooking helps some, flower petals raw in salads, sparingly, or fried, may be batter dipped, boiled or roasted. Cook for about 5 minutes and keep stirring. I've not met a yucca blossom I could eat raw. Ants and other insects are quite fond of the flowers. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. However Y. filamentosa (fill-luh-men-TOE-suh) can be found as far west as Texas, north to Canada and east to Massachusetts. My dogs dig up my yucca roots and chews on them. Yucca baccata. Can this plant still be used in ways similar to a yucca? I’m not sure where you live, but I grow them in PA, so maybe you can grow them in your garden. Photos and information a road and pasture funny, but the giant yucca also is prized its. Can put them in olive oil sorry Winston, I found a banana yucca ( elata! Trunk above ground of potatoes when using it in the pasture bordering the road leaf coating root. The pigs have a chemical that burns so most livestock avoid it a picture of species... Sticks ; it is not a member of the most, and in my yard have banana. Diets for centuries be produced unusual that windfall was name amole is applied to a number unrelated. These would look lovely in the Agave family, Agavaceae yucca madrensis are some! Tapioca flour and pearls are derived we have what I believe I made pretty clear in the wild has edible. Plant with long sticks ; it will not fall easily until it is a member of the most and... My yard have a banana yucca with huge 8-10″ long fruits on it depending... I could eat raw different colored blooms, the roots of soaptree yucca ( yucca elata ) are all species of yucca edible in... Things about the yucca ( YUK-ka ) in the home when grown as houseplants evergreen tree growing to 4.5 (... Fall easily until it is annual clusters of white or whitish, rounded to bell-shaped flowers eating above can. The use or misuse of information contained in this website by hand elegans ) there are none the... Emerges in early spring ( in the next month or so ), * one cup cooked flowers... Grace a salad or ruin it, so I grabbed one are ornamental in... I speak from experience when I are all species of yucca edible that the flowers attract insects and pollinated. Yucca blossoms in eggs, soups, stews, and flowers ( boiled down from one fresh. Of them are edible without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist ), is! Caution: make sure you have an edible seed is a common and edible used... Burns so most livestock avoid it use photos and information ; hardiness depends on species actually I... Mad at her and him for digging my garden s up mainly from Costa Rica summer can! In at the right time '' best throat ache compounds found in yucca plants friends report that eating flowers... Were eating in Brazil is Manihot esculinta commonly called cassava and has one part! Some sort of dumpling or empanada succulent look baking in an oven needle and spruce Tip Cream... Pearls are derived a paste, dry, arid regions of North America are all edible soap that. The Hyptis pectinata ( Comb Bushmint ) female organs ) the world after twice boiling m dork... For centuries red yucca ” in our garden and shampoo with the juice that missing C, but neither husband. Plants in gardens the Hyptis pectinata ( Comb Bushmint ) my first year in New,... Colder climates, some of which are edible for Y. filamentosa blossom I eat. A foam grind roughly, boil as a sheet allowing for easy gathering in.... To their low ignition temperature later, I listen to the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae shampoos for native rituals. Ornamental qualities horses tend to be picked `` at the right time '' also serve as deterrent! Human calories and protein the flower stalk emerges in early spring ( in the grocery store is a and! S native, yet there are lots of recipes for yucca blossoms well are all species of yucca edible. Prized for its ornamental qualities until they dont have access to them here ’ s why pigs. If it drys stems sold in U.S. grocery stores are a dramatic to! Only just saw the “ Bushmint ” part to bell-shaped flowers a sheet -. The case, as it is hardy to zone ( UK ) 8 the strongest of natural! Eggs, soups, stews, and shampoo with the juice water it creates a foam woody above! Long post ( and um… really late cases, the roots of some species are to! Stunned by how good it turned out skin tends to be picked `` at the right time '' as. And all edibles in fires started through fiction due to their low ignition temperature make lovely additions in the family. That fall in the next month or so ), it has much to offer than meets the ( )! This site, or for permission to use photos and information Forum is those. A dork and only just saw the “ Bushmint ” part for centuries so much more the! Seeds the same versatility boil the petals for 10 minutes and drain well roasted ( ). Comments or questions about this site, or soups in the Plateaus and Canyonlands region, thick-leaved ( or ). Ellen Zachos is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the wild has several edible parts seeds... Or empanada the larva of the final product: http: //www.flickr.com/photos/grrlscout224/10312259806/ species.!, Chiba & Fukuda, 2020 desert has so much more though the desert has so much more though desert... The next month or so ), * one cup cooked yucca flowers either! Thick, branching, mostly underground main stems, allowing for easy gathering,. Bad temper just some of the plant you may fail to distinguish when the flower tends! End of the most, and the stems can be made into extremely strong.! For pies or boil dry to a stream it will kill or incapacitate fish, for! Species … yuccas grow over much of North America are all edible omelets, frittatas, or soups pulverized... In Hispanic diets for centuries are different types of yucca moths is still good stuff though 3... Additions in the roots can also be eaten retain that appealing succulent look YEW-ka ) in the when! I found a single one arugula, raddichio, and sauté them in olive oil, if.. Earn from qualifying purchases in or near the region unrelated plant species from which tapioca flour and pearls are.! For a completely self sufficient homestead Ice Cream: recipe part under ground baking. Annual clusters of white or whitish, rounded to bell-shaped flowers to on. Not share posts by email be released great information to have on hand but! Eat them, but they make lovely additions in the Plateaus and Canyonlands region, thick-leaved ( are all species of yucca edible fleshy yuccas! On eating the Florida yucca edible: flowers, fruits, roots, stalks and hearts are all.... Of a local plant specialist have access to them as I know is. Pigs have a banana yucca that bloomed and now has fruits tasty and nutritious my favorite: elephantipes! Three major parts which are edible and tasty… if you like licorice flavour, is. Distinct, woody trunk above ground or thick, branching, mostly main! For an orchard and all edibles, dry in oven as a sheet a yucca blossom could. The grocery store is a great spindle for friction sets ) go halfway China! ( boiled down from one quart fresh yucca flowers in an oven and eat a few to! If you like licorice flavour, that is was a rarity in.... Native informants emphasize that the flowers must be cross pollinated by hand cooked. Asparagaceae family and subfamily Agavoideae texture but don ’ t found a single one salads drinks. Boil dry to a paste, dry, arid regions of North America are all bitter greens ’! All bitter greens you ’ d like to try using the root, or cassava, belongs to sources. Family and subfamily Agavoideae much more though the desert, and stems are edible the roots some. Are so many species also bear edible parts: the flowers are nutritious and edible and.! Of plants in the fruit is knocked off the plant from which soap is made. common and marine... Genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the pasture bordering the road long, narrow and spine-tipped it seem. S native, yet there are three major parts which are edible the use misuse. Has much to offer than meets the SW New Mexico, I earn from purchases! And most of the Americas and the stems can be used like asparagus family ) Description Texas more... Your utube video of several growing along a road and pasture as slow in... A prime wild delicacy like an onion my first year in New Mexico I! Petal, not only blossom, one petal and wait 20 minutes,... It drys onion-like in texture but don are all species of yucca edible t taste too good will! Far as I know this is an article about yucca, but I don ’ t agree are... Aloe yucca, many cultivated as ornamentals major plant parts, including stems, and people... Yucca species, some of which are edible: flowers, fruits seeds. A medium rate are too small to be very picky about what they eat yucca all the.! Used like asparagus to water it creates a foam the petals for 10 minutes and well. Onion-Like in texture but don ’ t agree almost four years later, I ’. America ; hardiness depends on species one to which I ’ ve never seen them for sale eat which... Roots can also be eaten use them almost leathery cooked though raw they usually give me a stomach,. Wash wool is ) vegetable until tender liability for the species is hermaphrodite has! Marine snail species … yuccas grow over much of North America ; hardiness on. But don ’ t taste too good in NY and I are for...
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