During the period of rapid growth of the Californian yucca plant, small, white overlapping leaves cling to the body of the stem. As the stem's diameter increases, spaces develop between the leaves until, at last, they arc two or three inches apart. Now, for thirty-six or forty-eight hours, the leaves grow very fast. Falling outward and downward, they quickly harden into short, strong spears. And very necessary is this haste for during its unprotected and succulent growth, the yucca stem is a delicacy very agreeable to the taste of all vegetarian members of the animal kingdom including the not-so-vegetarian human species.
Many times when driving cattle across the mountains, I have seen them rush forward in their eagerness to devour the tender yucca stem. Many times I have watched deer as they ate out the sides of the tender stalk. I have seen the Indians (yes; and white people also) bake the yucca stems as sweet potatoes are baked: I have seen them sliced and cooked as greens are cooked. I have seen the raw stem eaten by the Indians or by hungry cowboys.
Bellshaped and hanging downward, these blossoms are white and beautiful. Open one of them and you will discover the prettiest, little world you ever gazed upon. Each flower has a perianth of six regular pieces surrounding six stamens each tipped with green. The plant might be called the queen of the desert. In its manner of propagation the yucca is as singular as it is beautiful. Simultaneously with the blooming of the yucca the Pronuba moth breaks out of her cocoon. Stretching her wings at eventide she hastens to the blossoms of the yucca. The Pronuba moth gathers it from the tiny anthers, rolls it into a small ball and flies with it to the pistil of another blossom. Here she pierces the thick wall and lays her egg. Then she climbs to the stigma and places the ball of pollen in the funnel-shaped opening between its lobes. This process is repeated a number of times, usually once for each row of ovules. As soon as these ovules are fertilized, seeds begin to form.
From the egg of the moth, a larva or worm is hatched. Immediately it begins to feed upon the developing seeds. By the time the seed has matured, the larva has eaten its way to the crown of the pod. Bursting its way out of the pod, the larva fastens to the pod a silk-like thread that Nature bids it spin. In the spring, the parent moth flew like a fairy to the flower. Now the descendant of that moth returns to the earth by this silken thread. Burrowing the soil at the base of the yucca plant the larva of the Pronuba moth rests and develops and waits until it is called forth by Nature to assist in the propagation of the yucca and of its own kind.
About this Author
David is the author of many articles including Best Friend Quotes and also the author of Best life quotes
other articles:
Top modeling agencies
South beach girls
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Bunch
