Yucca necopina facts for kids

The Brazos River yucca (also called Glen Rose yucca) is a special plant. Its scientific name is Yucca necopina. This plant belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is quite rare and only grows naturally in a small area of north-central Texas. When a plant or animal only lives in one specific place, it's called an endemic species.

What it Looks Like

The Brazos River yucca is a type of shrub. It lives for many years, which means it's a perennial. This plant grows in small groups. Each group looks like a cluster of leaves called a rosette.

The plant itself usually grows about 2 feet (60 cm) tall. But its flower stalks can reach much higher, up to 7 feet (2.1 meters)! The flowers are a pretty greenish-white color. They usually bloom in the springtime.

This yucca looks a lot like two other types of yucca: Y. pallida and Y. arkansana. For a while, scientists thought the Brazos River yucca might be a mix of these two. However, later studies of its DNA showed that it is its own unique species.

Where it Grows

The Brazos River yucca likes to grow in sandy areas. You can often find it on river terraces. These are flat areas of land next to a river.

This plant is native to a few counties in Texas. These include Somervell, Hood, Parker, and Tarrant Counties. These areas are located west of the big cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.

See also

In Spanish: Yucca necopina para niños