The grassy looking tufts of fibrous leaves borne by this plant resemble those of allied Beaucarnea recurvata. Similar to those, this species eventually forms a pachycaulous small tree but without the basal caudex. HBG 82898, plants from seed collected by Fairey and Schoenfeld (Yucca Do T73-105), at 2554 m in oak-madrone forest near La Siberica, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. They noted that it grew to 6 m topped by rosettes of wide, bright-green leaves. The plant has proven to be hardy as far north as Portland, OR, where the accompanying photo was taken in Sean Hogan’s garden. According to Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery it has also survived winter temperatures to 0°F with minimal leaf-tip damage in Raleigh, NC! $5.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 76 (2), March - April, 2004