Yucca

Placed in the Liliaceae in Michigan Flora. Yucca moths, both “true” (Tegeticula yuccasella Riley) and “false” (Prodoxus quinquepunctellus Chambers), are found in the flowers; the former effect pollination after laying their eggs in the ovary where the caterpillars will be assured of a developing food supply. The first collection of a Yucca as an escape was in Muskegon Co. in 1949, but the specimen is vegetative and not determinable to species, though very likely it is the common Y. flaccida. Both species are native well south of Michigan.

1. Inflorescence axis and branches glabrous.

Y. filamentosa

1. Inflorescence axis and branches pubescent.

Y. flaccida