The Narrow-leaf Yuccas are frequently confused with the _Agaves_
(Century plant), _Dasylirion_ (Sotol), and _Nolinas_ (Beargrass) but may
readily be recognized by the fibers protruding from the margins of the
leaves. To permit comparison and bring out the differences so that the
four groups may be recognized and confusion avoided, sketches of all
four appear on the same plate (p. 21).
In many grassland areas of western Texas and southern New Mexico, _Y.
elata_ dominates the landscape for miles. This species has been used as
emergency rations for range stock during periods of drought, the chopped
stems being mixed with concentrates such as cottonseed meal. A
substitute for jute has been made from the leaf fibers. Indians eat the
young flower stalks, which grow rapidly and are relatively tender.
In its relationship with a moth of the genus _Pronuba_, the Yucca
illustrates one of Nature’s interesting partnerships. The moth, which
visits the Yucca flowers at night, lays her eggs in the ovary of a
flower where the larvae will feed upon the developing seeds. But to be
sure that the seeds do develop, the moth must place pollen on the stigma
of the flower. Dependent upon the moth for this vital act of
pollenization, the Yucca repays its winged benefactor by sacrificing
some of its developing seeds as food for the moth’s larvæ. Fruits of the
Narrow-leaf are dry capsules in contrast to the fleshy fruits of the
Broad-leaf Yuccas.
[Illustration: Plant silhouette]
_Yucca whipplei_ is a much smaller plant than _Y. elata_, but produces a
stouter flower stalk with a great spreading plume of small, delicate
flowers. These graceful plumes appear at night as if aglow with an inner
light, hence the name “Our Lord’s Candle.” (See Broad-leaf Yucca [p. 19]
and Joshua-tree [p. 18].)
[Illustration: Clematis ligusticifolia
Clematis drummondi]
Common Names: CLEMATIS, LEATHERFLOWER
Arizona and Texas deserts: (_Clematis drummondi_). Cream.
March-September.
California desert: (_Clematis ligusticifolia_). Cream. May-September.
Crowfoot family. Size: Climbing, vine-like perennial with stems 6 to 8
feet long.
By no means limited to the desert, Clematis is found throughout the
Southwest. Several species are grown as ornamentals, foliage, flower
clusters and the cotton-like masses of hairy fruits all being effective.
Petals are absent or rudimentary, the sepals which furnish color to the
blossoms being either creamy or purplish-brown. The name “Leatherflower”
has been applied to the latter group.