header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 14
2000 - Time capsule buried at Newhall Metrolink station [Station Grand Opening Video]
Newhall Metrolink


Back to Nature | Commentary by Mari Carbajal
| Thursday, Apr 28, 2016

maricarbajalDriving around Southern California, one can’t help but notice the grandeur of the majestic yucca blooming every spring – God’s candle, the Lord’s candle, chaparral yucca, Spanish bayonet or sword, Quixote yucca and many other names that I won’t go into here. The species local to Santa Clarita Valley including Agua Dulce and Acton – and most of Southern California – is yucca whipplei.

Yucca is considered a “survival plant.” Why? Because of all of the resources this plant is able to provide. People throughout history have taken advantage of the yucca’s many uses, and we continue to use it today.

For hundreds of years, American Indians have utilized the yucca for everything imaginable – food, cordage, building materials, making shoes and sandals, rope, nets, making baskets, and using the leaves for soap, shampoo and food.

yucca whippleiThe young flowers are edible but can be bitter if not washed several times before consumption. The fruits can be eaten raw, and the dried seeds can be roasted and ground into flour. Yucca root is eaten like potato but contains far more starch.

Note: It is unclear to me which species of yucca root is edible. I’ve heard that some species of yucca can be eaten and some can’t, so make sure to ask experts, or research the various yucca plant species before eating any of the plant’s parts.

Besides food, the leaves can be treated and used to make cordage. This is always a fun “campground” activity or a great lesson for scouts and children of any age.

yucca ropeFirst, cut some of the leaves from the plant’s base. Be careful not to stab yourself on the thorns that protrude from the end of the leaf. Remove the thorn at the tip of the leaf’s blade. Soak the leaves in water until they are soft enough to bend easily (about 10 to 15 minutes) – but don’t throw out the water.

Next, remove the soaked leaves and pound them with a rock to break apart the filaments. Once the filaments begin to tear apart, you will be able to tear them into strands easily. You can take three or more strands and braid them together. Once you’ve done this, you can combine several braided strands together or use them individually to make whatever you wish – cordage, jewelry, a basket, sandals, etc.

Yucca root

Yucca root

Place the strands in the sun to dry. Once they’re dry, the strands are nearly unbreakable. You will notice that the leftover water is rather soapy. The water can be used as soap for bathing or for shampoo. It makes your hair amazingly soft.

You can cut the thorn at the tip of a leaf blade and use it as needle for sewing. This technique has been used for hundreds of years to make clothing, shoes, baskets, patching up your brother, etc. It’s a very handy product when there’s no Walmart close by.

There is another plant very similar to yucca, but spelled “yuca.” This plant is cassava (manihot esculenta), which is completely different and unrelated to yucca.

Shown: Cassava (yuca) root, which looks almost identical to yucca root.

Shown: Cassava (yuca) root, which looks almost identical to yucca root.

In researching for this article, I found comments that the root of the cassava is edible, and others say it is not. However, cassava root is used to make tapioca.

The overall cassava plant looks completely different from yucca whipplei. Cassava is a staple throughout Africa, Asia, and some parts of South America. I even found a blog that warned the purchase of “yucca root” from grocery stores because the root they found was actually cassava and not yucca, and they warned that it couldn’t be eaten without making you very ill.

Then again, I saw a recipe online where a woman stated her grandmother used to make yucca root from either the yucca or cassava root. Confusing, to say the least. Possibly it’s the way it’s prepared or treated prior to cooking? I suggest researching closely before ingesting any yucca, yuca, cassava, or other tuberous root with which you are unfamiliar.

Yucca is unique. It has a classic symbiotic relationship that tops any other. It involves the yucca plant and the yucca moth, Tegeticulla yuccasella. The relationship between the two has existed for millions of years.

yucca mothNeither the plant nor the moth can live without the other. The moth’s larvae depend on the seeds of the yucca for nourishment, and the plant can be pollinated only by the yucca moth.

The male and female moths live underground in cocoons and converge on a yucca plant when they’re ready to mate. When the female is ready to lay her eggs, she collects yucca pollen from one flower by packing the pollen under her head. She then flies to a different flower or yucca plant where she opens a hole in the ovary of the flower and lays her eggs inside. Scraping a small amount of pollen from her tentacles, she then goes to the stigma of the flower and packs the pollen into tiny depressions within the style. Before the female leaves the stock, she marks the flower with a pheromone, which tells subsequent females that they aren’t the first to lay eggs in that particular flower. The newcomer might leave fewer eggs or none at all. This helps to prevent too many eggs from hatching in each flower. The plant will abort the flower altogether if too many eggs are laid.

Larvae feed on the yucca seeds within the fruit and burrow out of the fruit after eating. The larvae then burrow into the ground to make their own cocoon, and the next spring replays the event all over again.

yucca leavesIt’s said there are many medical uses of yucca that are good for treating arthritis and joint pain, skin conditions, asthma, headaches and osteoarthritis. The extract from yucca has been used to treat migraines, colitis, ulcers, gout, bursitis, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and disorders of the kidney, liver and gallbladder. Researchers have discovered that a compound found in yucca extract inhibits the clumping of blood platelets, preventing blood clots.

Although the medicinal uses of yucca have been noted for hundreds of years, the Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates do not recommend or endorse the use of any natural plant for medicinal purposes. Consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before attempting to use any natural plant for medicinal treatment or purposes.

As always, keep your eyes open for the unusual. You never know what you might find.

 

Mari Carbajal is a docent-naturalist at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

2 Comments

  1. Lisa Parrish says:

    Thank you for this article. I’ve always been interested in wild crafting and hope that you research and publish more articles on indigenous plants.

  2. We have a good amount this year in AD!

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Friday, Mar 14, 2025
After the January wildfires, the county began a review to assess our evacuation policies and emergency alert systems. The state has also commissioned a review of our preparedness efforts, immediate response to the fires and the recovery time frame of the incident.
Thursday, Mar 13, 2025
As you drive through Santa Clarita, you may have noticed something exciting, new projects are taking shape all around the city.
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2025
Our community is rich with history, blending the spirit of the Old West with the history of our great nation, especially in our parks. When Santa Clarita incorporated in 1987, we only had eight parks. Today, we are home to more than three dozen, and this year, we are excited to welcome not just two new parks.
Thursday, Mar 6, 2025
In response to proposed cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs by the federal administration, Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo issued a statement which is available for press interviews after the legislative session today or by phone and video.
Thursday, Mar 6, 2025
Throughout my entire life, I have surrounded myself with animals, whether it is my beloved donkey, cattle dogs or horses, animals truly do have incredible personalities and dynamic feelings.
Monday, Mar 3, 2025
Recent wildfires in Altadena, Pacific Palisades and just north of us in Castaic, have been a stark reminder of the ever-present fire threat in Southern California. As we begin the new year, these devastating events highlight the importance of always being prepared.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
After the January wildfires, the county began a review to assess our evacuation policies and emergency alert systems. The state has also commissioned a review of our preparedness efforts, immediate response to the fires and the recovery time frame of the incident.
Kathryn Barger | Wildfire Analysis
Island Pacific Santa Clarita is gearing up for a celebration of National Lumpia Day with a lumpia-eating contest on Saturday, March 15, from 3-6:30 p.m.
March 15: Lumpia Eating Contest at Island Pacific Santa Clarita
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
March 18: Saugus School Board to Receive Measure EE Annual Report
After a successful pilot program in the Saugus Union School District, School Day Café has expanded the use of a new, eco-friendly serving tray option across all Santa Clarita Valley elementary schools.
SCV Elementary School Lunches Offered on Eco-friendly Serving Trays
In support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is developing a Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan to establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
March 26: SCV Water Hosts Public Workshop on Water Use Efficiency Plan
College of the Canyons Women's Tennis got back in the win column with an 8-1 conference road win at Glendale College.
Canyons Gets Back in the Win Column 8-1 at Glendale
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
April 5: Annual Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer at Central Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has announced that the St. Francis Dam Tour scheduled for Saturday, March 15 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26.
March 15: St. Francis Dam Tour Postponed Due to Rain
The city of Santa Clarita is enhancing local roadways with the upcoming 2024-2025 Citywide Major Thoroughfare Median Refurbishment Project on Plum Canyon Road.
City of Santa Clarita to Refurbish Plum Canyon Road Medians
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising Celebrity Waiter Dinner to be held Saturday, April 26 at the Bella Vida Senior Center.
April 26: Celebrity Waiter Dinner to Feature ‘Broadway Lights’ Theme
2000 - Time capsule buried at Newhall Metrolink station [Station Grand Opening Video]
Newhall Metrolink
As you drive through Santa Clarita, you may have noticed something exciting, new projects are taking shape all around the city.
Patsy Ayala | From Groundbreakings to Grand Openings
The Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley 16th Annual Wine Affair: Wine, Beer and Cheer Big Hat Bash will be held Sunday, April 6 on Main Street in Old Town Newhall from noon to 5 p.m.
April 6: The 16th Annual Wine Affair Big Hat Bash
The city of Santa Clarita's art exhibition, "Saddle Up Santa Clarita" will run through Wednesday, May 14 at Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355.
‘Saddle Up Santa Clarita’ Art Exhibition in City Hall
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that 10 high school seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Hart District Announces National Merit Scholarship Finalists
The Master's University Theater Arts presents 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde Fridays and Saturdays, March 21-29 at The Master's University, Music Recital Hall at 24736 Quigley Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
March 21-29: TMU Theater Arts Presents ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’
Beginning Monday, March 17, at 6 a.m., Jet will be hosting “Jet into Work,” on 88.5-FM, The SoCal Sound which will lend a fun and upbeat start to listeners’ mornings.
The SoCal Sound to Present ‘Jet into Work’ Radio Show
Safely dispose of household hazardous waste and electronic waste for free 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5 at the College of the Canyons Valencia Campus, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
April 5: Free HHW, E-Waste Disposal at COC
The Music Center has announced 113 of Southern California’s most talented high school students have advanced in The Music Center’s 37th Annual Spotlight program, which includes three students from the Santa Clarita Valley.
Three from SCV Earn Music Center Spotlight Recognition
The track and field teams at The Master's University began their 2025 outdoor campaign at the Occidental Spring Break Classic on Saturday, March 8. Multiple qualifiers were added and a school record fell in the men's 4x100m relay.
TMU Track Opens Outdoor Season at Oxy
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has announced the introduction of the Roads to Resilience Act, AB 1132, a piece of legislation designed to prioritize the needs of communities disproportionately impacted by climate disasters.
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Improve Evacuation in At-Risk Areas
College of the Canyons baseball claimed its first conference win in a 10-5 affair over Citrus College at Mike Gillespie Field on Tuesday, March 10.
Cougars Pick Up First Conference Win 10-5 Over Citrus
Opera America, a nonprofit that supports opera in the United States, recently announced the 2025 recipients of two of its prestigious distinctions: the 2025 Robert L.B. Tobin Director-Designer Prize and the Discovery Grants from its Opera Grants for Women Composers program.
CalArtians Named Opera America 2025 Prize Winners, Grantees
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has launched a new campaign to increase awareness of the Department’s Alternative Crisis Response Program and to foster trust in the program’s Field Intervention Teams which serve as the county’s first responders for mental health crisis support.
County Raises Awareness of Mental Health Crisis Support Teams
SCVNews.com