Is this is yucca elephatipes?

[larryking]

Hi all,

Ive been trying to find information on what type of plant this is for the last couple of days. Firstly the plant is growing in Perth, Western Australia. It has been planted for 3 years now about 2.5 meters in height.

I would like to know first what it is? How tall it is likley to grow, how quickly it will reach this height, how well does it transplant, and is it possible to propagate this plant by cutting off the side shoots. Any ideas on technique would be great.

MY problem in identfying it is such the varied range of photos i have seen for the spinless yuuca or yucca elephatipes, and how closey the photos resemble that of the Cordyline Australis. Then again it may not be any of those.

The links to photos are below, thanks.


[align=left][/align]


[align=left]http://aycu31.webshots.com/image/5550/2006239323473402299_rs.jpg[/align]


[align=left]http://aycu33.webshots.com/image/5632/2006240878263498895_rs.jpg[/align]

[Newt]

Hi Larry,

I'm thinking that your plant is a Yucca and not a Cordyline.* From this site about Cordyline:
http://www.biologydaily.com/biology/Cabbage_tree

"It grows up to 15 m tall, at first on a single stem, but dividing into a much-branched crown, each branch forking after producing a flowering stem."

Your plant has already branched and you don't say that it's bloomed.

It also says, "The leaves are sword-shaped, 40-90 cm long and 3-7 cm broad at the base, with numerous parallel veins."* I don't see numerous parallel veins, but it could be that I just can't see it in the photo.

If yours blooms you will know for certain.* Here's blooms of a Cordyline australis.*
http://www.nzplantpics.com/sfeature_..._flower_07.jpg
http://www.nzplantpics.com/sfeature_..._flower_06.jpg

If you do find that you have a Cordyline, here's propagation info.
http://www.cordyline.org/truf.htm

"CORDYLINES ARE EASY TO PROPAGATE ? TRUE In the warmer months of the year, the plants can be lopped, place the tops in a container of water, or plant in a pot, containing a mixture of Peat Moss and sharp sand (or a good potting mix). You will soon have a new plant. The old plant will soon regenerate new growth. They can also be grown from root cuttings and seed."

Here's another site about propagating them with lots of other helpful info.
http://www.palmpark.com/cordyline_collection.htm

"Propagation
When your plant gets too tall or leggy, it is time to cut it back as much as you wish. Take the top and remove all the lower leaves, leaving only the top two or three which should be cut in half (do not touch the new spear, or emergent leaf). A tip cutting with about 100mm of cane, planted in a light, well drained, growing medium, will produce roots within two weeks. Rooting tip cuttings will result in plants within four to five months.

Smaller stems (or cane) can also be rooted but these take about twice the time of tip cuttings. Cane should be placed in rooting medium either horizontally or vertically. If laid horizontally cover cane lightly with soil. When planted vertically two-thirds of the cane should be under the soil leaving one-third exposed. This method will root in about four weeks and produce a mature plant within six months.

Propagation by seed can also be done. Wait until the mature plant produces a berry-like fruit which grows in clusters of as many as fifty or more. You can wait until the fruit is soft and mash the seeds out of the fruit or plant the entire berry in a good potting soil or peat moss containing a general garden fertilizer. Seeds require five to ten weeks to germinate when temperature is above 21 deg. C or 70 deg. F. As the parent plant itself is from various parentage anything can happen. Young plants take about two years to produce their best colours (a large percentage will be all green, as their original ancestor was). Be prepared to cull heavily and keep only the best."


Yuccas get plantlets at the base of the parent plant.* I can't quite tell from your photo, but it looks like there are two.* Their flower stalk is tall with lily-like flowers.* It takes about 10 years to mature enough to bloom.* Lots of info at these sites.
http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/YUCELEA.pdf
http://www.hellohello.com.au/yucca.html
http://www.hellohello.com.au/modern/yuc.html
http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/200.../yucca_cutting

From this site about Yucca elephantipes.
http://www.growinglifestyle.com.au/au/h14/a1093.html

"...grey markings on the trunk which look like elephant skin."

If you have a microscope available you can tell the difference between them.* Do a google search with the term:
difference + Cordyline Australis + Yucca elephantipes

Newt

[larryking]

[align=left]hey newt,[/align]
[align=left]thanks for the speedy reply. I must say i was leaning towards the yucca, however the more i researched, the less confident i became.[/align]
[align=left]That said, from your info and seeing as though its only 3 years old and already branching the yucca seems to be thr species.[/align]
[align=left]I have never seen a flower on it. I did spend all of last year in Canada though so wasnt around to notice any flowers. There are currentley 3 branches coming from its base, there were four originally though, however i chopped one off and put it in a pot a couple of months ago. [/align]
[align=left]The*chopped limb*faded there for a bit with a few of the leaves dying however it now seems to becoming greener, and showing signs of life.[/align]
[align=left]Thanks for the help, and*i will read some more from your links.[/align]
[align=left]Cheers[/align]
[align=left]*[/align]

[Newt]

Larry, you are so very welcome!* I hope those links help.

Newt