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 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


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
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com