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Marcus, Joseph A.

Nolina lindheimeriana

Nolina lindheimeriana (Scheele) S. Watson

Devil's Shoestring, Devil's-shoestring, Ribbon Grass

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: NOLI

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Resembling a large clump of grass in the open and in light shade on limestone slopes and cliffs. Stem usually single, herbaceous, from a woody underground base. Leaves arising from the ground line or form the lower part of the stem, long, flat, and narrow, up to 30 inches long by 5/16 inch wide, with finely serrated margins, teeth visible under a 10x hand lens. Flowers about 3/16 inch wide, white to cream, numerous on slender branches from the upper part of the rather tall stem and forming a loose, open display 1 to 3 feet or more tall and several inches wide, opening in spring and early summer. Fruit a short capsule about 3/16 inch wide.

This species is named after Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer (1801-1879) who is often called the Father of Texas Botany because of his work as the first permanent-resident plant collector in Texas. In 1834 Lindheimer immigrated to the United States as a political refugee. He spent from 1843-1852 collecting specimens in Texas. In 1844 he settled in New Braunfels, Texas, and was granted land on the banks of the Comal River, where he continued his plant collecting and attempted to establish a botanical garden. He shared his findings with many others who shared his interest in botany, including Ferdinand von Roemer and Adolph Scheele. Lindheimer is credited with the discovery of several hundred plant species. In addition his name is used to designate forty-eight species and subspecies of plants. He is buried in New Braunfels. His house, on Comal Street in New Braunfels, is now a museum.

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