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Dana, Michael
Hesperaloe parviflora (Torr.) Coult.
Red yucca, Coral yucca, Red flowered false yucca, Redflower false yucca, Samandoque, Yellow yucca
Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)
USDA Symbol: hepa8
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Not a yucca, this member of the Century-Plant family produces soft, yucca-like, evergreen leaves, 2-3 ft. in length, crowded on the perennial’s short, woody base. The flower stalk rises 5 ft. and bears showy, coral-colored, tubular flowers occur on arching, wand-like, pink stems. Leaves are plum-colored in winter; blue-green other times.
Coral Yucca is evergreen, drought-resistant, and adaptable to a variety of soils. Deer browse the foliage, while the flowers attract hummingbirds.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Ciliate
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Truncate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: 2-3
Leaf: dark olive green
Flower: Flowers 35 mm long
Fruit: Seeds black to 3 cm
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: C. TX; Mex.
Native Habitat: Prairies; rocky slopes; mesquite groves. Found in prairies, rocky slopes, and mesquite groves, mostly in Central Texas. Well-drained sand, loam, caliche, limestone.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Limestone-based, Caliche type
Conditions Comments: Heat and drought tolerant, red yucca is wonderful for rock gardens. The stiff leaves form a basal rosette. Flower spikes attract night-pollinating moths. The leaves are deer resistant, but the flowers can be eaten by deer. There is a naturally occuring color selection with buttery yellow colored flowers that blends well with the popular coral color.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Rocky hillside, Rock gardens, Desert landscape, Perennial garden, Blooms ornamental, Attractive, Accent, Long-lived, great for large pot cultureUse Wildlife: Deer browse the foliage, while the flowers attract hummingbirds. Nectar-hummingbirds, Fruit-deer
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant: High
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Plants for green roof in Mexico
August 06, 2008
Hello! I am checking local plants to plant on a Green Roof, and am researching on which are mostly to survive better. Is it possible to plant the following on a green roof?? (Root depth needed, basica...
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From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Wrights Nursery - Briggs, TX
Hill Country Natives - Leander, TX
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Native Plant Society of Texas - Fredericksburg, TX
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.Bibref 765 - McMillen's Texas Gardening: Wildflowers (1998) Howard, D.
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
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Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Hesperaloe parviflora in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Hesperaloe parviflora in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Hesperaloe parviflora
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-10-08Research By: TWC Staff
