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Native Plant Society of Texas

Twistleaf Yucca

Yucca rupicola

Other common name(s):

Twisted-leaf Yucca, Texas Yucca, Spanish Dagger

Family:

Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Edwards Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Cactus & Succulent

Height

1
to
1.75
ft.

Spread

1
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Rocky, Limestone, Caliche, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Deer, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Endemic to the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion of Texas. Little to no maintenance required. Twisted-leaf yucca is great to plant in dry, shady spots and shaded rock gardens. Spent flower stems add summer/winter interest. Remove flower stalks before spring, after blooming, or leave pods to seed out. Trim dead leaves. Native habitat: rocky hillsides of limestone ledges, open plains, woodlands. Propagation: seed, transplant offsets.

Comments

Blooms April-June. Forms open colonies of rosettes. Long, lance-shaped leaves are straight when new, but twist with age. Leaf margins are orange or reddish brown, and covered with white curly hairs. Clusters of bell-shaped flowers are borne on tall stalks. The fruit is a capsule. DNA evidence confirms the close relationship of Y. pallida and Y. rupicola. Hybrids will spread into adjacent ecoregions. Deer will eat the clusters of white bell shaped flowers, but not foliage. Larval host: Kendall’s Yucca Skipper. Although still listed by some in the Agavaceae Family, the majority of botanical organizations now list it in the Asparagaceae Family.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Yucca tortifolia

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 264-265. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=YURU. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Yucca+rupicola&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=245&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=565606#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014., 9) https://apps.cals.arizona.edu/arboretum/taxon.aspx?id=800#:~:text=The%20flowers%20are%20a%20dramatic,poorly%20absorbed%20by%20the%20body., 10) https://aggie-hort.tamu.edu/ornamentals/nativeshrubs/yuccarupic.htm

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow in well-draining soil, requiring shallow placement for sunlight exposure. Consistent moisture without waterlogging is crucial for root development, https://www.picturethisai.com/wiki/Yucca_rupicola.html
Seed Scarification Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. Sow seed spring in a greenhouse. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors. 1) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Yucca+rupicola#:~:text=Plant%20Propagation,greenhouse%20until%20established%5B78%5D. 2) https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Yucca+rupicola
Root Cutting Lift in April/May and remove small buds from base of stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wood ashes to stop any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots in a greenhouse until established Take root cuttings in late winter or early spring. 1) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Yucca+rupicola#:~:text=Plant%20Propagation,greenhouse%20until%20established%5B78%5D. 2) https://temperate.theferns.info/plant/Yucca+rupicola
Offshoots Cutting Allow cuttings to callous over before planting them in well-draining soil. The best time to propagate is during the spring or early summer. https://earthone.io/en/plant/yucca%20rupicola?srsltid=AfmBOoqq6OSt-Wcd2lQdcNQzpGvqhXfiiuvQEKVjGLItJeyKXTYLkiE-

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason