~Spanish Dagger Plant~

~Yucca treculeanan~

This is the appropriately name Spanish Dagger Yucca. If your ever in need of a weapon get one of these leave to defend your life or property. That tip is as hard as steel and can inflict a sever puncture wound. While working in my yard about 6 months ago I met one of these points with my forearm. Holy moly, it went in about an inch and still bothers me to this day. That leaf has some sort of chemical on it that leaves the entry site swollen and itching for many months. It still bothers me to this day!

I have previously photographed the beautiful blooms this yucca produces. The flower stalk is about meter long and covered with gorgeous white bell shaped blossoms. They are somewhat sweet and can be used to add flavor to salads or greens. I'm sure that some desert creatures would find them very tasty, and then the flowers wouldn't last long at all. But everything in the Sonora Desert that has delicious prize also has a formidable protection mechanism. Meet the Spanish Dagger's protectors.

See you tomorrow friends, TucsonJim ;o)


Mega-Daggers