Bloomipedia
Torrey's yucca (Yucca torreyi)
Photo: Alex Abair via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Torrey's yucca

Yucca torreyi

Native to New Mexico

Torrey's yucca is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states.

2states
750NM sightings*
3,432U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: New Mexico

Quick look

Yucca torreyi, commonly known as Torrey's yucca, is a large species of Yucca native to the Chihuahuan Desert that can reach a height of 20 ft (6.1 m), but more commonly 3–10 ft (0.9–3.0 m).

  • It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 2 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to New Mexico. NatureServe
  • iNaturalist has 750 research-grade sightings of it in New Mexico, ranking #78 among the 109 flowers on our New Mexico list. iNaturalist

Torrey's yucca gift ideas

Handmade torrey's yucca gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    Torrey's yucca art print

    Gift pick coming soon

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    Torrey's yucca greeting card

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    Torrey's yucca mug

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    Torrey's yucca earrings

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    Torrey's yucca embroidery pattern

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    Torrey's yucca sticker

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (236 records)

There are only a handful of New Mexico flowering records, so this chart uses records from across the U.S.

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
New Mexico
Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in New Mexico. 19.21.2.9 NMAC
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Yucca” (Yucca spp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Dogs, cats: Vomiting; Horses: liver disease… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records torrey's yucca in 2 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

New Mexico, Texas.

New Mexico counties with USDA records: Dona Ana, Eddy, Otero, Sierra.

More New Mexico flowers

Yuccas (Yucca)

Yuccas

Yucca

★ NM state flower

🌼 Blooms in NM: March–June
Soaptree yucca (Yucca elata)

Soaptree yucca

Yucca elata

Native

🌼 Blooms in NM: April–July
Banana yucca (Yucca baccata)

Banana yucca

Yucca baccata

Native

🌼 Blooms in NM: April–June

Sources