Adam's needle looks a little like a small palm, but is actually more closely related to the lilies. The evergreen leaves of Adam's needle are straplike, about 1 in wide and up to 2-3 ft long. The leaves are basal that is, they all originate from one point, taking the form of a rosette. The margins of the leaves are decorated with long curly threads or "filaments" that peel back as the leaf grows, eventually dropping off on older leaves. The inflorescence is very showy and borne on an erect spike up to 12 ft high (taller in warm climates, shorter where winters are cold). There are up to several dozen individual flowers on an inflorescence, they are white and about 2 in long. The plant dies after flowering and fruiting, but produces lateral buds that start new plants around the edges of the original. Adam's needle is native to southeastern North America from North Carolina to Florida and west to Tennessee and Mississippi. It grows in dry, sandy or rocky habitats and in fields, road shoulders and open woods. It has become naturalized far outside its original range. Prefers full sun, but will tolerate some light shade. Thrifts in average to dry soil and is very drought tolerant Hardiness: USDA Zones 5-10