How to pronounce yucca

Yuca – pronounced yoo-cuh – is the root portion of the plant. Yucca, on the other hand, is an ornamental plant: They are those spiky flowered plants common in Southern and Western parts of the US, including Florida, New Mexico, and California. But they don’t have the edible root of the yuca, and are commonly confused.

Yuca has many of the same tuberous characteristics of the potato varieties commonly found in grocery stores, but with some key physical differences. Unlike the typical oblong shape of potatoes, yuca is longer and firmer with tapered ends.