VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Yucca whipplei | Our Lord's Candle 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
The flowers and fruits of Our Lord's candle are used by a number of
small birds and mammals [2,9].  This species provides little browse for
domestic livestock or wild ungulates [9], although some use of the
flowers has been reported [1].  It presumably provides some cover for
smaller birds and mammals.


PALATABILITY : 
Fruits of Our Lord's candle are highly palatable to many species of
birds, the dusky-footed woodrat, and numerous other small mammals [2,9].
Flowers and flowerstalks are apparently favored by mule deer in some
locations [1].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Little specific information is available on the food value of Our Lord's
candle.  Nutritional values for the genus Yucca are as follows [7,32]:

                                        %
               water   ash   crude   crude   fat   n-free  ether protein
                             protein fiber         extract extr. n x6.25   

young stem, dry --    5.55   7.50    16.13  1.54   69.28    --      --
old stems       --    9.15   3.07    19.59  0.93   67.26    --      --
fresh stems    72.1   1.55   2.09     4.50  0.43   19.33    --      --
fresh flowers   --    8.7     --     13.3    --    53.3    4.4     20.3


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Little documentation exists on the potential value of Our Lord's candle
for rehabilitation.  Studies indicate that seedlings can be successfully
transplanted [45].  However, Webber [45] emphasizes the importance of
not overwatering young plants, and notes that propagation of this
species is sometimes difficult.


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Native Americans made flour from the seeds and used fibers from the
leaves to weave rope, nets, and baskets.  They roasted the very young
flowerstalks to produce a food that tasted like baked apple.  The roots
have a high component of saponin; when soaked and pounded they produce
copious suds [12].  The flowers of Our Lord's candle are sometimes made
into various novelty products [45].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Yucca whipplei | Our Lord's Candle