Green Sotol (Dasylirion texanum)

Dasylirion texanum. Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, Centennial Museum. Photograph by Paul Hotchkin.

• Common English Names: Green Sotol, Texas Sotol
• Common Spanish Names:
• Scientific Name: Dasylirion texanum (daz-ee-LEER-ee-on tex-ANN-um)
• Family: Agavaceae (Agave Family) (formerly in Liliaceae)
• Geographic Range: Dry, rocky slopes, central and southwestern Texas and adjacent Coahuila and Chihuahua, Mexico
• Plant Form: Evergreen shrub, 3' H x 5' W.
• Remarks: Short, thick, often partially buried central stem with numerous long, thin, flat, linear, light green leaves, ½" wide and up to 3' long, forming rounded clump resembling a large clump of coarse grass from a distance. Leaf edges armed with prominent, sharply hooked teeth. Numerous, tiny flowers form a thick spike on 10 to 12' stalk, May to July. Low water, full sun to light part-shade, good drainage. Cold hardy to about 15° F.

Last Update: 23 April 2004