Acaulescent shrub with long stiff evergreen leaves radiating from a basal rosette. Leaves thick, concave, stiff, 30-80 cm (12-30 in) long and 3.5-10 cm (1.4-4 in) wide at base, short-spiny at apex, margins with numerous loose twisted long filaments. Inflorescence an open panicle up to 3 m (9 ft) tall. Flowers numerous, large, with 3 petaloid sepals and 3 petals, whitish. Fruits oblong-cylindrical capsules 1.5-4.5 cm (0.6-1.8 in) long.
Distribution: Native to most of the eastern third of the U. S.
Habitat: Usually found in dry sandy areas.
NWI status: none
Comment: Yucca is the native Hatian name; filamentosa refers to the numerous threadlike fibers on the leaf margins.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
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Last update: 9/23/99
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