Yucca whipplei is of a yucca genus which is described as both variable and unstable because natural hybridization is common. Locally this sp. is called Lord's Candle, because of it's long flower stalk that in certain ssp. grows up to 5m! It is a pretty sight on the hill slopes to see hundreds of these flower stalks with their creamy-white flowers sticking up from the under growth. The six recognized subspecies of Y. whipplei differ in growth form, size, colour, fruit set, shape of leaves and flowers, and growth habit although some overlap does occur. Y. whipplei is stemless and grows single, although it can branch from underground rhizomes, it forms rosettes of 0.7-1.40m wide. The rigid, grey-blue, sharply pointed leaves are flattened above and thickened at the underside, 50-100cm long, 0.8-1.9cm wide and the margins are lined with minute teeth. The inflorescence of Y. wipplei is about 100-150cm high with creamy-white or sometimes purplish-tinged flowers. Y. whipplei generally complete their life cycle within 5 to 7 years after flowering. Yucca wipplei occurs from Riverside and Orange counties in California southward into Baja California, Mexico. Most commonly it grows on dry, stony slopes, mountains, coastal plains, and the edges of the true dry deserts where it occurs up to elevations of 1.500m. With a good drainage and full sun to light shade the frost tolerance will be -12°C.

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Authors drs C.N. Klijn and R.H. Smeets from Tropical Centre have studied yuccas in the wild and also then thousands of import yucca plants from everywhere in Mexico and the USA. Learn more about yuccas and our yucca background through the website buttons about us, photo albums and newsletters. If you mention us, as the source you may use our descriptions and pictures.