Growth and Uses of Yucca Shidigera

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YUCCA SCHIDIGERA
Coral Piña

Yucca Schidigera commonly known as Adam’s Needle Yucca is a plant, member of the agavaceae family. Also known as Mojave yucca, Spanish bayonet, and Spanish dagger due to its “sharp dagger-like leaves” (Montgomery, 2010). North America and Central America are place of origin to Yucca Schidigera (van Wyk & Wink, 2004), currently one can find Yucca plant in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. In order for the plant to grow healthy it must be on a rocky desert slope; full of sun and soil that provides good drainage (Montgomery, 2010).
Native Americans used Yucca Schidigera to treat different illnesses such as arthritis (Cheeke, Piacente, & Oleszek, 2006). According to Dr. Cichoke the Navajo, Lakota and Cheyenne would use Yucca Schidigera to make soap out of the root and shampoo from the leaves. Other tribes including the Blackfoot and Kiowa used the root in a tonic for the treatment of hair loss (Cichoke, 2001). Yucca root was and is currently used as a food source.
Powder and extract for Yucca Schidigera is currently being used as animal feed addit...

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