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Adam's needle looks a little like a small palm, but is actually more closely related to the lilies. The evergreen leaves of Adam's needle are straplike, about 1 in (2.5 cm) wide and up to 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) long. The leaves are basal; that is, they all originate from one point, taking the form of a rosette. The margins of the leaves are decorated with long curly threads or "filaments" that peel back as the leaf grows, eventually dropping off on older leaves. The inflorescence is very showy and borne on an erect spike up to 12 ft (3.7 m) high (taller in warm climates, shorter where winters are cold). There are up to several dozen individual flowers on an inflorescence, they are white and about 2 in (5 cm) long. The plant dies after flowering and fruiting, but produces lateral buds that start new plants around the edges of the original. There are a number of variegated selections, the most popular possibly being 'Gold Sword' which has stripes of gold variegation down the center of the leaves while 'Bright Edge' has green centers with gold leaf margins. 'Gold Garland' also has gold variegation that is prominent on young leaves and transforms to green as the leaf ages. 'Ivory' has cream-colored variegation.
Adam's needle is native to southeastern North America from North Carolina to Florida and west to Tennessee and Mississippi. It grows in dry, sandy or rocky habitats and in fields, road shoulders and open woods. It has become naturalized far outside its original range.
Culture
Usage
There is much confusion regarding how many species of Adam's needle there are. Some experts (the "splitters") recognize Y. flaccida, Y. smalliana and Y. concava, as separate species, and others (the "lumpers") lump them all with Y. filamentosa. Floridata "lumps" these species together as we reference the Institute For Systemic Botany at the University of South Florida for this kind of information. Only additional research (and DNA analysis) will settle the question of whether to split or lump! The southeastern United States is home to another likable yucca that's known as mound-lily or Spanish dagger (Y. gloriosa). This one also has soft tipped flexible leaves and is a pretty and popular landscape item. Another frequently seen yucca is called the Spanish bayonet (Y. aloifolia). It is native to coastal areas from North Carolina to Florida and from there all along the Gulf Coast to Texas. It is a fierce but handsome plant with sharp tip points on the stiff leaves that can easily cause painful punctures - even through denim jeans! The flowers of many yucca species are edible and used raw in salads or cooked. Those from Adam's needle are said to taste like Belgian endive. Steve Christman 10/20/97; updated 6/30/01, 7/19/03, 9/17/03
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