Adams needle (yucca)

http://etc.usf.edu/clippix/picture/bright-edge-adams-needle-yucca.html

 Adams needle Yucca filamentosa

The adams needle belongs to the Asparagaceae family. 

They are evergreen plants with huge leaves resembling swords. The leaves have bright edges with green in the middle The leaves can get to two feet in length and the flower stalks ten feet, which contain white flowers in the shape of a bell. 

Adams needle needs proper drainage, low fertility soil, hot and dry climate, so it can grow at its best. They can be found near the coast and woods. The roots are the storage for the organs, which allows the plant to grow in many substrates.

Native Americans used this plant in cooking, for medicinal aid and soap. The roots have saponin which when boiled is turned into soap. The roots which were beaten were thrown into the waters to blur the fish senses to allow the fisherman to catch them easier.

The yucca moths pollinate the plant. During the night the flowers which are very fragrant entice the female moth to consume the nectar, the pollen is collected and rolled into a big ball and carried to another flower. This is where the female deposits her eggs inside the undeveloped ovary, the pollen is put on the stigma. The larvae eat the flowers seeds but not all of them. 

Anon, (2015). [online] Available at: https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_yufi.pdf [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].

Barth, B. (2015). Yucca. [online] LoveToKnow. Available at: http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Adam%27s_Needle [Accessed 13 Apr. 2015].