Beaucarnea stricta Lem.
Beaucarnea stricta
Scientific name: Beaucarnea stricta Lem.
Family: Asparagaceae
Origin: Central America
Year planted: 1930
Flowering: Summer
Beaucarnea stricta
Description
It is a tree that can reach 8 metres in height. The leaves grow at the end of the trunk, which is why it looks like a yucca. The bark is grey in colour. As it grows, the bark cracks and a semi-regular polygonal lattice that resembles the cells of a beehive becomes visible.
The leaves are evergreen and bluish green or glaucous with a yellowish edge. They are elongated, up to a metre long, and rough. When dry, they do not fall but remain attached to the trunk.
It is a dioecious species: there are male and female specimens. The flowers are tiny and pale yellow in colour. They are borne in clusters (inflorescences) in very long cones: they hang down and protrude from the leaves.
The fruits are small flat capsules.
Marimurtra’s specimen
It is a monumental specimen, a few metres high and you can see it in the Mexican area.
It was planted at the beginnings of the garden, but was initially identified as a Nolina recurvata, a similar species also present in the garden.
The specimen is a donation by the physician and naturalist Axel Robertson-Proschowsky (1857-1944), and comes from the garden of the Villa Las Tropiques, Nice (France).
Did you know…?
It is used in gardening as an ornamental plant. The thicker the base, the more expensive the specimen.
Threat level (UICN)
Main uses
Raunkiaer Life Forms
