Beaucarnea recurvata elephant-foot tree
There is a 7-foot individual in the Arizona Cactus Garden near the southern edge; it may reach 30 feet. The narrow, slightly recurved leaves approach 3 feet in length. It is expected to develop an expanded conical base; it will then be interesting to compare it with the Yucca filifera nearby. A specimen with the characteristic conical base and several trunks replaced a California fan palm (likely an original, from 1890) in the outer southeast circle of the Inner Quad in 2022. Two smaller examples are in other circles; see Inner Quad tree map.
Illustrations: gallery.
About this Entry: The main text of this entry is from the book Trees of Stanford and Environs, by Ronald Bracewell, published 2005. Genus updated to Beaucarnea and family to Asparagaceae (Dec 2017, SP). Removed mention of var. intermedia; clarified native range (Apr 2023, SP). Edits; added 2022 Inner Quad location (Jul 2024, SP).