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Dasylirion wheeleri - S.Watson.

Common Name Sotol, Common sotol, Bear Grass, Common Sotol, Desert Spoon
Family Agavaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Open, rocky slopes at elevations of 1200 - 1900 metres in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico [270].
Range South-western N. America - Arizona to Texas and Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Dasylirion wheeleri Sotol, Common sotol, Bear Grass, Common Sotol, Desert Spoon


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Dasylirion wheeleri Sotol, Common sotol, Bear Grass, Common Sotol, Desert Spoon
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Dasylirion wheeleri is an evergreen Tree growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; South Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Stem
Edible Uses: Drink

The central part of the plant can be cooked and eaten[183]. The crown of the plant was baked by the native North American Indians then dried, pounded into a powder and made into cakes[257]. They would also peel the baked crown, crush it, mix it with water then ferment it and use it as a beverage[257]. The flowering stems can be roasted, boiled or eaten raw[257]. The trunk is rich in sugar, the pith can be used to make the alcoholic beverage 'sotol'[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

Basketry  Thatching  Weaving

The leaves are used in thatching, basket making, weaving into hats, mats etc[257].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Specimen. Requires a very well-drained soil in a sheltered sunny position[200]. This species is not very cold hardy, and is said to require a minimum winter temperature of 10°c[200], However, plants can survive outdoors in the very mildest areas of Britain if given some protection such as a south facing wall and a suitable soil[K]. Plants are sometimes used in sub-tropical bedding schemes in Britain. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (New Mexico (south), Texas (west), Arizona (south)), Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora (north))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dasylirion simplex Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM202
Dasylirion texanumTexas sotolPerennial0.5 8-11  LMHSNM202

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

S.Watson.

Botanical References

200270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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