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Dasylirion texanum (Texas sotol)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Dasylirion texanum Scheele

Texas sotol, Sotol

Liliaceae (Lily Family)

USDA Symbol: date3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Notes: 1.5-2.5 feet.
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Flat desert areas, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs, 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, 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 Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Wrights Nursery - Briggs, TX

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:

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

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-CW-3 Collected 2009-08-04 in Mason County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

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

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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.

View Recommended Species page

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: 2009-02-17
Research By: TWC Staff, GDB

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