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The red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a succulent plant of the Chihuahuan Desert. It is also called the hummingbird yucca because its flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds. A member of the Agave Family (century plants), it is actually not a yucca and is sometimes called the red flowering false yucca.
Flower stalks can reach 5 feet tall with their showy coral-colored tubular flowers. Mule deer will eat the leaves and the flowers will attract butterflies and other insects making the species a great pollinator plant. Pollinators like butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other animals that pollinate plants need our help. Pollinators support us, but their future is uncertain. Many are in decline worldwide, largely due to habitat loss, pesticide poisoning, disease, and introduced species.
Red yucca is native to the far eastern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, Central Texas and south to Coahuila in northern Mexico. It is a very popular desert plant in El Paso only because it was brought into the area by various plant nurseries. Once established it is very easy to care for.
Photos by Rick LoBello