July 2009

“Yucca Bloom”   
artist: Donna Gaylord
pastel drawing
anonymous donation
Dimensions: H: 24”  W: 19”
91.4.1

The yucca, a distinctive plant often associated with the southwest desert, is easily recognized by the sharp evergreen leaves surrounding its base, protecting a majestic trunk that can reach a diameter of 12 inches. It can grow to the size of a small tree, reaching 6 feet tall with its spikey leaves radiating around a 4 – 6 feet base. The yucca, with its sharp edges and linear form, both sturdy and beautiful, has adapted to the heat and sparse precipitation of its harsh environment. Even so, the yucca is not a cactus. They are closely related to agaves and may often be confused for one. Both types of plant are scientifically part of the lily family. “Familial” similarities can be seen in the bell-shaped yucca blooms which are a pale ivory color and hang in large clusters. The blooms of the Yucca elata, commonly called soaptree yucca, were captured by artist Donna Gaylord in her pastel work “Yucca Bloom.”

The soaptree yucca is one of 10 types of yuccas that can be found in the Sonoran desert region. It is prevalent in sandy plains and grasslands of Southeast Arizona, Northern Mexico, New Mexico and into Texas.It derived its common name because of the Tohono O’odham practice of using its roots to make soap.  Also, the fibrous leaves have been utilized to make baskets, rope, and sandals and the yucca’s edible fruit and flowers helped sustain many generations.

As with many plants, the soaptree yucca relies on insects to pollinate it. Unlike other plants though, the soaptree yucca is not in want of pollinators. It has formed a relationship, called mutualism, with the Pronuba moth and they depend upon each other to survive. The two species have evolved to provide a service to the other and their compatibility works to benefit both. The Pronuba, known simply as the yucca moth, is a small white moth that lives exclusively within the soaptree yucca, feeds on it, and lays its eggs in its flowers when the yucca blossoms. It is considered an ‘active’ pollinator, because it has learned to pollinate the yucca by making contact with different blooms on the plant and placing a pollen ball directly into the cup-shaped stigma located in the flower. Thus, plant may flower several times during its lifetime with the help of the yucca moth.

Early settlers nicknamed the plant “Our Lord’s candles” after witnessing the impressive blooms. The blooms also impressed the state of New Mexico; it was adopted as the official State Flower in 1927.

Tucson artist Donna Gaylord captures the stunning blossoms of the soaptree yucca in her pastel creation “Yucca Bloom.” A longtime friend and former docent at Tohono Chul Park, Gaylord’s work does not strive for photo realism, but rather focuses on representing the natural world through line, pattern, texture and color. Her pastel creation “Yucca Bloom” captures the stunning blossoms of the soaptree yucca. Although the Park’s soaptree yuccas have flowered already you can still enjoy the freshness of Donna’s blooming yucca drawing displayed in the Exhibit House during the month of July.

 

Special Thanks to Russ Buhrow, Curator of Plants

Engard, Rodney G. The Flowering Southwest. Tucson: Great Impressions, 1989.

Docent Handbook

Phillips, Steven J. and Patricia Wentworth Comus. A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert. Tucson: Arizona-Sonora Museum Press, 2000.

Yetman, David. 50 Common Edible and Useful Plants of the Southwest. Tucson: Western National Parks Association, 2009.

http://www.50states.com/flower/newmexico.htm