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Native Plant Database

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Dasylirion leiophyllum (Green sotol)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Dasylirion leiophyllum Engelm. ex Trel.

Green sotol, Sotol, Desert candle

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: DALE2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The sotol produces an unbranched flower stalk 5–20 feet tall, with long, dense clusters of small white flowers on the upper third. The flowers are of one sex, male on one plant and female on another. At the base of the plant is a crowded cluster of ribbonlike leaves, 1–3 feet long and 1/3–1/2 inch wide at the base. They have spiny teeth along the margins that curve backward toward the base.

Trunks split open during dry spells, allowing wildlife access to the spongy interior and leaf bases. In periods of drought, the round, cabbagelike base is sometimes cut up and fed to cattle after the leaves are removed. It is also a source of alcohol and is used commercially in the production of an alcoholic drink (also called sotol).

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Notes: 4-6
Flower: Flowers in 2 foot spike
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: NM , TX
Native Habitat: Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, Flat desert areas, Chaparral & brush country
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Caliche type, Limestone-based, Igneous

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Easily grown, Security hedge, Rock gardens, Rocky hillside
Use Food: Used by Indians several thousand years who roasted heart and meat at base of leaves in rock-lined pits for 48 hours.
Use Other: Indians used leaves used for weaving baskets and sandals and for thatching.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 307 - Edible and Useful Plants of Texas and the Southwest: Including recipes, harmful plants, natural dyes, and textile fibers: A Practical Guide (1999) Tull, D.
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Dasylirion leiophyllum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dasylirion leiophyllum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dasylirion leiophyllum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2013-03-29
Research By: TWC Staff

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