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Datilillo facts for kids

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datilillo
Yucca valida.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Yucca × schottii var. valida (Brandegee) M.E. Jones
  • Sarcoyucca valida (Brandegee) Lindinger

The datilillo (scientific name: Yucca valida) is a cool plant that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. You can find it growing naturally in Mexico, especially in states like Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa. It's known by its common name, datilillo, which means "little date" in Spanish.

What Makes the Datilillo Plant Special?

The datilillo is a really big plant! It can grow as tall as 7 meters (that's about 23 feet), which is taller than a giraffe! It also has many branches, making it look like a small tree.

How Does It Look?

The leaves of the datilillo are stiff and shaped like a spear. They can be up to 35 centimeters (about 14 inches) long. A unique thing about this plant is that its old, dead leaves don't fall off right away. Instead, they hang down below the living leaves, creating a kind of "skirt" around the plant's trunk.

Flowers and Fruit

When the datilillo blooms, it produces pretty white flowers. These flowers then turn into juicy, black fruits. These fruits can grow up to 4.5 centimeters (about 1.8 inches) long. The best part? These fruits are edible, meaning you can eat them!

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