Yucca spp.

Yucca spp. is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The reported severity is critical. Also known as Yuccas, Joshua Tree and Soaptree Yucca.

dogs cats horses

Mild Moderate Severe Critical

If your animal ate this plant, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control on (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661. Fees may apply.

Symptoms to watch for

Vomiting Liver Damage Dermatitis Liver Failure

The color of each symptom follows the severity scale above.

About

Yucca is both the scientific name and common name for a genus native to North America from Panama to southern Canada. It contains 50 accepted species. In addition to yucca, they are also known as Adam's needle or Spanish-bayonet. The genus is generally classified in the asparagus family in a subfamily with the Agave, though historically it was part of the lily family. The species range from small shrubby plants to tree-like giants, such as the Joshua tree. All yuccas have rosettes of leaves that taper to points and inflorescences with many flowers that are mainly cream white with thick petals. Though adapted to a wide range of climates the plants are xerophytes, ones that specialize in dry living conditions.

Common Names

  • Yuccas
  • Joshua Tree
  • Soaptree Yucca
  • Mojave Yucca
  • Common Yucca
  • Banana Yucca
  • Great Plains Yucca
  • Spineless Yucca
  • Twisted-Leaf Yucca
  • Spanish Dagger
  • Moundlily Yucca
  • Aloe Yucca
  • Eastern Joshua Tree
  • Torrey's Yucca
  • Tree Yucca
  • Arkansas Yucca
  • Pale Yucca
  • Buckley's Yucca
  • Narrowleaf Yucca
  • Western Joshua Tree
  • Chaparral Yucca
  • Weak-Leaf Yucca
  • Mountain Yucca
  • Plains Yucca
  • Giant Spanish-Dagger
  • Gulf Coast Yucca
  • Red Yucca
  • Dwarf Yucca
  • Datilillo Yucca
  • Beaked Yucca

Also recorded as Adam's Needles, Beargrasses, Needle Palms, Spanish Bayonets, Spanish Daggers and Spanish-bayonet.

Facts

Family
Asparagaceae
Duration
Perennial
Growth habit
Forb/herb, Shrub, Subshrub, Tree
In the wild
US, MX, FR, GB, BE, ES + more
Source
Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Elsewhere

Countries with the most wild observations, from GBIF data.