Dasylirion wheeleri     
Desert spoon   
Agavaceae Family     

Form: mounding grass-like succulent clump of silver-green points

detail of leaf margin

Seasonality: evergreen
Size: to 6ft with equal spread
Leaves: flat elongated blades, 2-3.5ft long, silver green or bluish green, margin toothed like saw blade; petiole base shaped like spoon
Flowers: plants are dioecious; insignificant whitish green flowers clustered tightly on dramatic stalk emerging from center of clump; grows 6 to 15ft above foliage; female plant flower structure is more rounded, on male plant it is more narrow; stalk is persistent if not removed
Fruit: small brownish seed (1/2in) joined with 3 papery disks as a trifoliate wing
Stems/Trunks: form is usually mounded only; can be pruned to a trunk-like look
Range/Origin: southern Arizona, southern New Mexico; elevations of 3000-5000ft
Hardiness: to single digits

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• accent plant
• very tough in adverse conditions
• do not use near foot traffic
• poor in mass plantings due to tendency to accumulate trash between plants

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun; takes reflected heat
• Water: natural rainfall once established; supplement when young; extra water accelerates growth
• Soil: tolerant, needs good drainage, found naturally on rocky slopes
• Propagation: seed, sow in early summer, requires scarification
• Maintenance: minimal; stalk removal if desired; old yellowed leaves can be left in place or removed to expose base and a pineapple-like appearance; if planted in groups it is difficult to get between plants

mass planting of Dasylirion wheeleri

NOTES:

aka Sotol
leaves used for fiber by native peoples, also used for tools and decoration

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This page was first created July 20, 2001 and last modified March 9, 2005.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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