Dasylirion wheeleri
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Dasylirion wheeleri is a beautiful yucca-like plant with narrow silver gray-green leaves arranged in a hemispherical form. Its unique, long sculptural leaves make the plant perfect for focal point specimen plantings and large containers. The leaves are armed with small golden marginal spines which are pretty when lighted from behind.
Dasylirion wheeleri is also great in xeriscapes and large succulent and cactus gardens. Over many years, it forms a trunk and can reach 5 feet tall, although the trunk often lies recumbent on the ground. Dasylirion wheeleri is deer and rodent resistant.
This plant blooms in June with large spikes (10-15 feet tall) of white bell-shaped flowers. After flowering, the plant branches to create several rosette heads. Dasylirion wheeleri is extremely cold tolerant and an excellent choice for high desert areas or regions with extremes of temperature.
The inner part of the plants and the core of the flower stems are edible and can be used to make the alcoholic beverage also called Sotol. Sotol is considered to be a premium tequila-like beverage. Amongst dasylirions the Sotol is small in size only reaching maybe six feet tall whereas longissimum becomes very large growing 16+ feet in height. This makes the Sotol suitable for planting around houses. Not too big but about as tall as a person.
Horticultural Data
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Names and Synonyms: Dasylirion wheeleri var. wislizeni
Common Names: Sotol, Desert Spoon, Spoon Flower
Family: Nolinaceae
Origin: Mexico and southern Arizona
Size Label: 1 gallon and 5 Gallon
Height: 15-20′
Width: 4-6′
Cold Tolerance: 10 to 15°F, -12.2 to -8.4°C
Heat Tolerance: Extremely heat tolerant
Light Requirement: Full sun to very light shade
Water needs: Very drought tolerant, but plant grows faster with some irrigation. Avoid watering the crown which can develop fungal rot.
Maintenance: Trim older dead leaves to reveal trunk if desired.
Uses: This plant has a hemispherical form and unique long sculptural leaves making it perfect for focal point specimen plantings and large containers. It is also great in xeriscapes and large succulent and cactus gardens. Over many years it forms a trunk and can reach 5 feet tall, though the trunk often lies recumbent on the ground. It is deer and rodent resistant.
Propagation: Seed can be collected and sown after the plant flowers. This plant is dioecious so several plants are needed for it to set seed.
Problems: Root and fungal rot in poor draining soils.
Special notes: This is a beautiful yucca-like plant with long, narrow silver gray-green leaves arranged in a hemisphere. The leaves are armed with small golden marginal spines which are pretty when lighted from behind. This plant blooms in June with large spikes (10-15 feet tall) of white bell-shaped flowers. After flowering the plant branches to create several rosette heads. The inner part of the plants and the core of the flower stems are edible and can be used to make the alcoholic beverage sotol. The Tarahumara and Pima Bajo peoples of the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua weave baskets from the leaves after they strip off the spines.
Research Links:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/57401/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dasylirion_wheeleri
https://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Dasylirion_wheeleri.html
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Agavaceae/Dasylirion_wheeleri.html
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1367/
Shipping & Availability
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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