Yucca baccata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Yucca baccata, exhibits a specific distribution across several western regions of the United States. In the northwestern portion of its range, it can be found growing in the state of Colorado. Its presence extends significantly into the southwestern United States, covering a broad area of arid landscapes. Within this southwestern region, the plant is commonly located in Arizona and California. Furthermore, its natural habitat includes the desert environments of Nevada and Utah.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Yucca baccata is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy, it exhibits a dual nature in its life form classification, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its woody parts are elevated above the ground, and as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its relatively low-growing, shrubby stature. This life history pattern enables the species to endure varying environmental conditions over a long temporal scale, utilizing its perennial nature to establish a stable presence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Yucca baccata is characterized by a woody structure with a growth form classified as a forb. It typically reaches an average plant height of 1.2 m. As a terrestrial organism, it functions as an independent species and does not act as a parasite or an epiphyte. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting in its growth habit rather than being a climber.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Yucca baccata is characterized by specialized metabolic and structural adaptations that allow it to thrive in arid environments. Most notably, the plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and water-use efficiency. To mitigate the challenges of high transpiration rates associated with this pathway in desert climates, the plant exhibits physiological mechanisms such as thick, sclerophyllous leaves with a reduced surface-area-to-volume ratio and a heavy waxy cuticle to minimize non-stomatal water loss. Its water management system is further supported by a robust root architecture capable of rapid moisture absorption during infrequent rainfall events. Additionally, the plant employs osmotic adjustment within its cellular structures to maintain turgor pressure during prolonged periods of drought, ensuring metabolic stability despite fluctuating environmental stressors.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Yucca baccata involves a complex biological process characterized by the production of specialized seeds following successful pollination. The seeds produced by this species exhibit specific physical dimensions, with a recorded mean seed mass of approximately 0.10286 g. Within a given population, there is notable variation in seed size, as evidenced by a minimum seed mass of 0.093 g and a maximum seed mass reaching up to 0.1875 g. This range in mass reflects the inherent variability in nutrient allocation and development during the seed maturation phase, which is critical for the successful establishment of new seedlings in their natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.1875 g

Seed mass mean:

0.102861666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.093 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Yucca baccata has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ALUMINUM, Ash, CALCIUM, CHROMIUM, COBALT.

ALUMINUM

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CHROMIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COBALT

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

MAGNESIUM

1. Dr. Duke

MANGANESE

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Yucca baccata has 319 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, AP-1-Inhibitor, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amphiglycemic?

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke