About Yucca gloriosa var. tristis Carrière
Yucca gloriosa is a caulescent species that typically produces several stems growing from its base; the base thickens in fully grown adult specimens. Its long, narrow leaves are straight and very stiff, reaching 30–50 cm (12–20 in) in length and 2–3.5 cm (3⁄4–1+1⁄2 in) in width. The leaves are dark green, with smooth entire margins; finely denticulate margins occur only rarely. Each leaf ends in a sharp brown terminal spine and tapers to a sharp acuminate point. Its inflorescence is a panicle that can grow up to 2.5 m (8 ft) long, holding bell-shaped white flowers that are sometimes tinged purple or red. It produces an elongate, leathery berry that can reach up to 8 cm (3 in) long.
Yucca gloriosa grows on exposed sand dunes along the coast and barrier islands of the lower East Coast of the United States. It often grows alongside Yucca aloifolia, and a variety formerly named Yucca recurvifolia or Y. gloriosa var. recurvifolia is now classified as Y. gloriosa var. tristis. Large endemic populations of this species occur in the beach and dune habitats of coastal North Carolina. Compared to Y. gloriosa var. tristis, the leaves of Y. gloriosa var. gloriosa are hard, stiff, erect, and narrower. Yucca aloifolia differs in that its leaf margins are denticulate, though it also has a sharp-pointed terminal spine.
Yucca gloriosa is native to the coasts and barrier islands of southeastern North America, where it grows on sand dunes. Its native range in the United States extends from extreme southeastern Virginia south to northern Florida. It grows in association with Yucca filamentosa, Yucca aloifolia, and Opuntia species.
This species is widely cultivated in warm temperate and subtropical climates, and valued for use as an architectural focal point in landscaping. It has been reported to escape from cultivation and become naturalized in Italy, Turkey, Mauritius, Réunion, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. For landscape planting, it requires very little maintenance; the only routine task needed is removal of dead leaves once the shrub nears its full mature height. The plant is very hardy: it suffers no leaf damage at −20 °C (−4 °F), and can tolerate brief snow and freezing temperatures, as well as long periods of drought. Yucca gloriosa itself, along with its cultivars 'Variegata' and Bright Star = 'Walbristar', have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
