Yucca schidigera
Mojave yucca
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Yucca schidigera (Mojave yucca) is a native California shrub / tree in the Agavaceae family, recognized by very long leaves and fibrous margins.
Mojave yucca is a native shrub found in southern San Diego County, southern Mojave Desert, and northwestern Sonoran Desert in chaparral and creosote-bush scrub at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white to cream-colored flowers in large pendulous clusters hanging from tall inflorescences. Growing 1 to 5 meters tall with erect, mostly unbranched stems forming rosettes at the tips, it develops distinctive clusters well above ground level. Its rigid leaves are 30 to 150 centimeters long, 3 to 5 centimeters wide, with an expanded white base and fibrous, shredding margins that create a distinctive textured appearance. The plant produces large cylindrical berry-like fruits 5 to 11.5 centimeters long, hanging pendulously from the plant's rosettes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; very long leaves and fibrous margins are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, creosote-bush scrub
Elevation: < 2500 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, Santa Clara, Kern
Outside California: Nevada, Arizona, northern Baja California
Bloom period
Yucca schidigera blooms Apr-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Hesperoyucca: Yucca has thin flower stalks (<1 inch) with upward bracts; Hesperoyucca has thick stalks (>1 inch) with backward bracts.; vs Agave: Yucca has white flowers with superior ovary; Agave has yellow-green flowers with inferior ovary.; vs Nolina: Yucca has large bell-shaped flowers; Nolina has tiny flowers in spreading feathery masses.; vs Cordyline: Yucca has stiff fibrous leaves with fine marginal threads; Cordyline has flexible strap-like leaves without threads.; vs Dracaena: Yucca has rigid spine-tipped leaves in rosettes; Dracaena has flexible arching leaves in clusters along stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yucca schidigera native to California?
Yes. Yucca schidigera is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Yucca schidigera bloom?
Yucca schidigera blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Yucca schidigera grow?
Yucca schidigera occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, Santa Clara, Kern, at elevations of < 2500 m.
What plant family does Yucca schidigera belong to?
Yucca schidigera is in the Agavaceae family, genus Yucca.
What habitat does Yucca schidigera grow in?
Yucca schidigera grows in Chaparral, creosote-bush scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.