Desert bananas

    The Banana Yucca (yuck-ka) is called such due to its large fruits which can be four to nine inches long. These fruits were a staple food for many Native American tribes, who consumed them raw, cooked or dried for winter use. In fact, Native Americans consumed most of this plant; young leaves were cooked as flavoring in soups, the flowers were eaten as a sugary treat and flower stems were cooked as a vegetable. 

    About
    Wildlife Facts
    Common Name:
    Banana Yucca
    Scientific Name:
    Yucca baccata
    Origin:
    Southwest US
    Color:
    • White
    Fun Facts:
    • Leaves were used in making baskets and ropes.
    • Soap can be made from stems and leaves of this plant.
    Plant Type:
    • Evergreen
    • Shrub
    Endangered Status
    Endangered Status
    • Extinct in Wild (EW)
    • Critically Endangered (CR)
    • Endangered (EN)
    • Vulnerable (VU)
    • Near Threatened (NT)
    • Least Concern (LC)
    • Not Evaluated (NE)
    Hardiness Zones

    The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature, divided into 10-degree F zones.

    USDA Hardiness Zones

    6a (−10 °F to −5 °F)

    6b (−5 °F to 0 °F)

    7a (0 °F to 5 °F)

    7b (5 °F to 10 °F)

    8a (10 °F to 15 °F)

    8b (15 °F to 20 °F)

    9a (20 °F to 25 °F)

    9b (25 °F to 30 °F)

    10a (30 °F to 35 °F)

    10b (35 °F to 40 °F)

    11a (40 °F to 45 °F)

    11b (45 °F to 50 °F)