Yucca sp.
Spanish bayonet, yucca, Yucca
Family: Agavaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Yucca sp. (Spanish bayonet) is a native California shrub in the Agavaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Yucca sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Yucca sp. belong to?
Yucca sp. is in the Agavaceae family, genus Yucca.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.