Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Yucca angustissima

Yucca angustissima, the narrowleaf yucca, is a plant in the family Agavaceae, known as the "narrow-leaved yucca." It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, but grown elsewhere as an ornamental.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
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Yucca angustissima
Narrow-leaved yucca
In Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Yucca
Species:
Y. angustissima
Binomial name
Yucca angustissima

Yucca angustissima,2 the narrowleaf yucca,3 is a plant in the family Agavaceae, known as the "narrow-leaved yucca.4" It is native to Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, but grown elsewhere as an ornamental.567

Yucca angustissima is a low-lying species forming colonies of basal rosettes up to 3 m (10 feet) in diameter. Leaves are long and thin, up to 150 cm long but rarely more than 2 cm across. Flowers are white to cream or greenish-white, pendant, borne in racemes on stalks up to 2 m (7 feet) tall. Fruit is a dry capsule with black seeds.8910

Yucca angustissima is relatively abundant, and although it has local threats, its population appears to be stable overall.1

Varieties

Numerous varietal names have been proposed, but 4 are currently recognized:611

  1. Yucca angustissima var. angustissima—Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado
  2. Yucca angustissima var. avia Reveal12—Utah only
  3. Yucca angustissima var. kanabensis (McKelvey) Reveal12—Arizona and Utah
  4. Yucca angustissima var. toftiae (S.L.Welsh) Reveal12—Utah only
References

References

  1. Clary, K.; Hodgson, W.; Salywon, A.; Puente, R. (2020). "Yucca angustissima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T117422964A117469932. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T117422964A117469932.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. Georg Engelmann. Annual Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden 13: 58–59, pl. 23, f. 1, pl. 24, f. 1, pl. 83, f. 6. 1902.
  3. NRCS. "Yucca angustissima". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  4. Bowers, Janice Emily. 1993. Shrubs & Trees of the Southwest Deserts. Western National Parks Association, Tucson.
  5. Georg Engelmann. Annual Report of the Missouri Botanical Garden 13: 58–59, pl. 23, f. 1, pl. 24, f. 1, pl. 83, f. 6. 1902.
  6. Flora of North America v 26 p 434.
  7. Biota of North America Project, Yucca angustissima
  8. McKelvey, S. D. 1938–1947. Yuccas of the Southwestern United States. 2 vols. Jamaica Plain.
  9. Trelease, W. 1902. The Yucceae. Rep. (Annual) Missouri Bot. Gard. 13: 27–133
  10. Thomas H. Kearney, Robert H. Peebles. 1961. Arizona Flora, Second edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.
  11. The Plant List
  12. Reveal, James Lauritz. 1977. Intermountain Flora; vascular plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. New York vol 6, p 534 Yucca angustissima
External links