any of several plants of the genus Yucca, of tropical and subtropical America, having stiff lancelike leaves and spikes of white flowers: family Agaraceae
See also Adam's-needle, Spanish bayonet
Word origin
C16: from American Spanish yuca, ultimately from a Native American word
yucca in American English
(ˈjʌkə)
noun
1.
any of a genus (Yucca) of plants of the agave family, having stiff, sword-shaped leaves and white flowers in an erect raceme, found in the U.S. and Latin America
2.
the flower of any of these plants
Word origin
ModL < AmSp yuca < Taino
Examples of 'yucca' in a sentence
yucca
The yucca family provides good plants for giving an effect of weight and permanence near a terrace.
Page, Russell The Education of a Gardener (1994)
Yuccas and orchids are common culprits.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A boundary line of yuccas will make a front garden attractive and painful to enter by routes other than intended.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
A It is unlikely this yucca will be hardy enough to survive outdoors.