Yucca gigantea
Yucca gigantea (syn. Yucca elephantipes) is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family, native to Mexico and Central America. Growing up to in height, it is an evergreen shrub which is widely cultivated as an ornamental garden or house plant, often referred to simply as yucca cane. The edible flower is the national flower of El Salvador locally called izote, and it is used extensively in Salvadoran cuisine. Names Common names include spineless yucca, soft-tip yucca, blue-stem yucca, giant yucca, yucca cane, and itabo. Its flower, the izote, is the national flower of El Salvador. Description Yucca gigantea is typically less than in height. It may have a thick, single trunk or be multitrunked, growing from a thickened, inflated, trunk-like lower base similar to an elephant's foot. The exceptionally narrow leaves fan out in clumps. They are strap-like, spineless and up to in length. White flowers are produced in the summer. Mature plants produce erect spikes of pendent flowers up to in length. Flowers are followed by brown, fleshy fruits which are oval and up to long. Taxonomy The French botanist Charles Lemaire published the name Yucca gigantea in November 1859. This is the name used by the