Yucca elata var. verdiensis

(McKelvey) Reveal

in A. Cronquist et al., Intermount. Fl. 6: 533. 1977.

Endemic
Basionym: Yucca verdiensis McKelvey Yuccas Southw. U.S. 2: 98, plate 35. 1947
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 26.

Plants primarily caulescent, rarely acaulescent, 1.5–3.5 m. Stems 1–1.5 m. Leaf blade 25–45 × 0.2–0.6(–1.3) cm. Inflorescences paniculate, distally racemose, 7–13 dm; branches 1–3.5 dm; peduncle 1–1.5 m. Flowers: tepals 3.2–4.5 × 1.3–2 cm; filaments 1.5–2.5 cm; anthers (2–)2.5–4.8 mm; pistil 2–2.5 cm. Capsules 4–4.5 × 2–4 cm.


Phenology: Flowering late spring.
Habitat: Rocky hillsides, canyons
Elevation: 300–1900 m

Discussion

S. D. McKelvey (1938–1947) wondered if Yucca elata var. verdiensis might be a mountain variety of Y. angustissima. On the other hand, she pointed out the differences between the two taxa and stated that the features of the former bear “no resemblance to those of Y. angustissima.” J. M. Webber (1953) suggested that var. verdiensis is a hybrid between var. elata and Y. angustissima.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.