nature, Photography

Yucca Plants

35 Comments

Here in the Okanagan Valley we are geographically at the northern most tip of the Sonoran Desert. As a result, parts of this region can be classified as semi-arid desert. This is one of the reasons why wine grapes do so well here!

We also see many desert plants that might seem unusual for this area but really aren’t; one of these is the yucca. The indigenous peoples of this area consumed yucca plants for their nutritional qualities but also knew about its ability to ease arthritis and often used it for that purpose.

Recent studies have found that it also boosts the immune system and protects against sun damage and diabetes. It’s a rather odd-looking plant with its spindly stalks and huge, bell-shaped flowers, but it contains many health-supporting qualities.

Happy Sunday.

35 thoughts on “Yucca Plants”

  3. I actually have a yucca plant here in NS, but it never gets like that. Only one to four stocks a year. Often closer to one than four. I do live in the cooler part of the province. They are beautiful though so I am always happy when it decides to bloom.

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    1. They are definitely different-looking plants but those bell-shaped flowers are lovely. I once saw a hummingbird almost enveloped by one! I found a group of them growing in a very dry, rocky area; could it be that your plant is more affected by moisture than cold? They evolved in desert conditions and like being in sunny, dry areas. Cheers.

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    1. Thank you very much, Ally. It’s interesting to me how studies now being conducted on plants used in “traditional” healing are often yielding positive results. There are good reasons why indigenous inhabitants saw certain plants as contributing to particular outcomes. Cheers.

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      1. And yet they say seed oils are not good for us. I’ve been using grapeseed oil for years. Maybe it’s not the same as the extract, but I wonder what they extract from the seeds if not oils. But the yucca … okay, I won’t lick it.

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        1. It’s ground, whole grape seeds, not the oil. I think the word “extract” may just mean that it comes from grapes. You can buy it otc in Alberta (that’s where my sister lives) but I don’t know about B.C. I assume it’s easy to find here, too.

          Grape seeds oil is actually a good choice, too; the problems with seed oils in general are caused by the processing, not the oils themselves. Solvents like hexane and the high heats used for extraction (high heat changes the oils’ chemical compositions) often lead to oils that are little more than chemical stews. Unless you’re making your own seed oil, olive oil is best as it’s cold pressed.

          Nope, no licking. 😉

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  11. I didn’t realise that these extended as that far north. I can imagine that you probably have some endemic flora in the valley, or at least species that are found nowhere else in Canada.

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