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Marcus, Joseph A.

Dasylirion texanum

Dasylirion texanum Scheele

Texas Sotol, Sotol

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: DATE3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This short-trunked desert perennial is often mistaken for yucca. A 9-15 ft. flower stalk, bearing a 2-3 ft. spike of yellowish flowers, is subtended by a basal cluster of dark, bluish-green leaves with evenly-spaced spines and a wide, cupped base. The leaf cluster is 1 1/2-2 1/2 ft. tall.

Trunks split open during dry spells, allowing wildlife access to the spongy interior and leaf bases.

From the Image Gallery

23 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Leaves up to about 2-1/2 feet long. Flower stalk up to about 15 feet tall.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Flat desert areas, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Chaparral & brush country

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Caliche type, Igneous, Limestone-based;adaptable
Conditions Comments: This short-trunked desert perennial is often mistaken for yucca. A 9-15 ft. flower stalk, bearing a 2-3 ft. spike of yellowish flowers, is subtended by a basal cluster of dark, bluish-green sharp edged leaves with evenly-spaced spines and a wide, cupped base. Trunks split open during dry spells, allowing wildlife access to the spongy interior and leaf bases.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Easily grown, Rock gardens, Rocky hillside, Security hedge
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-CW-3 Collected 2005-08-03 in Mason County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-11
Research By: TWC Staff, GDB

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