Photographed today (13 Feb 2015) in Little River in Coastal Plain (pine) habit. To me, it looks like a ‘ponytail palm’ but something about it doesn’t seem right (unhealthy perhaps?). I cannot find similar specimens on any of my neighbors’ properties.
Hi Jeff,
I am not 100 % sure on this one – but I think it is a ‘spineless yucca’ – Yucca elephantipes, that has been growing in shade, and it is not native. It is not a ponytail palm, which is Beaucarnea recurvata, because that always has a swelling at the base of the stem, and has more and thinner leaves. However, this yucca usually has wider leaves than this. I did not know this was hardy in South Carolina, but I have not tried it outdoors. It is may be hardy wherever the Sabal palmetto would be. A site with more information is at: http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/yucca Perhaps someone might have another opinion on what this is, but that is my impression [unless it is one of the Dracaenas!].
Sincerely,
Steve Hill, Botanist, SCNPS