giant yucca
Yucca gigantea Lem.
Yucca gigantea is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family, native to Mexico and Central America. It is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 8–12 m in height. The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden or house plant and is commonly known as yucca cane. The edible flower is the national flower of El Salvador, locally called izote, and is used in Salvadoran cuisine.
Description
Yucca gigantea, commonly known as giant yucca, is a member of the Asparagaceae family. It is native to regions including Mexico and Central America, and is found in areas such as the Galápagos Islands, Antioquia, and Cundinamarca. The plant can reach heights of 8–12 m and is often cultivated for ornamental purposes. The edible flowers of this species are significant in El Salvador, where they are known as izote and are used in local cuisine. The species was first described in 1859 by Lem.
Other common names
giant yuccaIzoteSpineless yucca
Distribution
AI · Galápagos Islands · BR · Antioquia, Cundinamarca · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · Bogotá, D.C. · TW · Belize · Costa Rica · Ecuador · El Salvador · Guatemala · Honduras · Leeward Is. · Mexico Central · Mexico Gulf · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest · Nicaragua · Panamá · Portugal · Puerto Rico · Spain · Manizales
Synonyms
Sarcoyucca elephantipesYucca mazeliiYucca mooreanaYucca guatemalensisYucca lenneanaYucca elephantipesYucca roezliiYucca ghiesbreghtiiYucca eleanaDracaena lenneiDracaena yuccoidesYucca elephantipes var. ghiesbreghtiiYucca elephantipes var. gigantea
