Yucca

Yucca aloifolia
Succulent
Whorled
Simple
White
Yellow
Green
Common names 
Also known as: Yucca,
Family 
Agavaceae
Deciduous 
No
Flowering time 
Spring- Autumn
Native/Exotic 
Exotic
Origin 
Native to south-eastern USA (i.e. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, southern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and south-eastern Texas), Mexico and the Caribbean (i.e. Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and St. Lucia).
Notifiable 
No
Council declaration 
SIL – Special Investigation List
Known distribution 

This species is widespread but scattered in Australia, and is mainly found in coastal districts. It has been recorded in south-eastern and central Queensland, in some parts of eastern New South Wales, in the ACT and in south-western Western Australia. It is also sparingly naturalised on Lord Howe Island. Also naturalised overseas in other parts of the Caribbean (e.g. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and in New Caledonia.

Habitat 

Typically prefers dry, elevated and infertile areas.

Habit 

Upright succulent growing to 4 metres in height, will take on multi-stem form if cut

Impact and control methods 
Cut stump
and
Foliar spray

Creates saponins that are quite toxic to people, they are poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass straight through. They are also destroyed by prolonged heat, such as slow baking in an oven. Hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish indicating a hazard to aquatic life.