Adam’s Needle
The tall flower stalk on the Adam’s needle.
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
Adam’s needle (Yucca filamentosa) is a small evergreen shrub that looks like it belongs in the southwest rather than Florida. Its sword-shaped leaves have sharp tips and thread-like filaments along their edges. In early summer, a tall flower stalk emerges to display nodding, cream-colored flowers. Hummingbirds and butterflies visit and yucca moths pollinate the blooms. Giant skipper caterpillars feed on the leaves. Also called beargrass, this slow grower prefers full sun and dry, sandy soil. Adam’s needle grows in scrub, sandhills, and coastal dunes in much of Florida. Its cousin, Spanish bayonet (Yucca aloifolia), has stiffer leaves, multiple trunks, and gets much larger. Adam’s needle is just 3 feet tall and makes a striking specimen. Adam’s needle recently finished blooming near the entrance to Sopchoppy Depot Park.