1103.000 Yucca L.

Perennial, sometimes arborescent, usually branching from woody, subterranean, or above ground caudices, or single stems. Leaves sessile, in rosettes on caudices or at branch ends; blades lanceolate, expanded basally, usually rigid, sometimes fleshy; margins entire or toothed; apex sharp pointed. Inflorescence erect or rarely pendent, paniculate or racemose; bracts ascending, erect or rarely reflexed. Flowers: perianth campanulate or globose; tepals 6, fleshy, whitish, maybe tinged with green or purple. Fruit erect or pendent; capsular or baccate. Seeds many, usually black, flattened.

Worldwide: 48 species in North and Central America and Caribbean.

Zimbabwe: 2 cultivated taxa.