Xeriscape Landscape Plants For The Arizona Desert Environment
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Succulents

Mexican Grass Tree, Dasylirion quadrangulatum?

Mexican Grass Tree, Dasylirion quadrangulatum Boyce Thompson Arboretum, October 11, 2006.

Mexican Grass Tree Dasylirion quadrangulatum	Mexican Grass Tree Dasylirion quadrangulatum

Mexican Grass Tree Dasylirion quadrangulatum, Liliid Monocot Family ( Ruscaceae ), Mexican Grass Tree. Also called: Longleaf Sotol, Grass Tree, Toothless Desert Spoon, Dasylirion longissimum. When attempting to describe this plant, a person can easily become confused. This is because various professors of botany have also been confused, leading to at least two scientific names being used for this plant as well as at least three different plant families. We will attempt to clear up the situation. Simply stated: Its not that Dasylirion longissimum has been renamed (as some books say), but the name has been misapplied to the wrong species. Dasylirion longissimum (Lemaire) has square leaves but they have prickles toward the base. On the other hand, Dasylirion quadrangulatum (S.Watson) has spineless square leaves. Regarding the plant families, where they belong, it is still being debated. Some place these plants in the Agave (Agavaceae) Family which is a family of plants that are difficult to define and it has been revised many times over the years. Then, the Agaves and other related plants were once in the Lily Family (Liliaceae). Now, more recently other botanists have split the old Liliaceae Family into many more families and removed some genera from the Agavaceae Family, among them Nolina, Dasylirion, Sansevieria, and Dracaena. Now, it seems that all of the Dasylirions, which is is a genus of 17 species of flowering plants have been placed into the Liliad Monocot Family ( Ruscaceae ). In any case, with all of that being said!! D. quadrangulatum is a native of the hillsides and dry riverbeds of northeast Mexico. D longissimum, is found a little further south in Mexico and is therefore, less hardy. When fully grown they have glaucus-green stiff unarmed grass-like 6 foot long leaves. The leaves radiate symmetrically out of a large woody trunk that can slowly grow 6 -15 feet tall. In the summer, a nine foot tall spike of small white flowers emerge from their reddish buds. Mexican grass tree is a spectacular accent plant that blends well in either a tropical or arid garden. It is a great container plant or focal point specimen in the Xeriscape garden. It can be planted in full sun to light shade. It is drought tolerant and cold hardy to at least 15 ° F. Height: 4 - 6 feet tall. It spreads to about 6 feet. Flowers: A large stalk emerges from the center of the plant, it becomes 6 to 15 feet tall. Then dioecious; small, greenish white flowers clustered tightly on the stalk emerge from pink buds on the stalk; it bears female and male flowers on different plants; the female plant flower structure is more rounded, on the male plant it is more narrow. Blooming Time: Phoenix Arizona, Mid Summer. Seeds: It produces small brownish seed about 1/2inch long joined with 3 papery disks as a trifoliate wing. Leaves: The leaves are bluish-green with square blades, up to 6 feet long, depending upon the species, the leaves have or do not have prickles toward the base. Found: Native to Northeast Mexico. Elevation: 0 - 8,000 Feet. Habitat: It grows well in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soils. It needs good drainage and aeration. Takes full sun; takes reflected heat. It grows well at low elevations in Arizona as well as at its normal range. Drought tolerant and cold hardy to at least 15 ° F. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken Boyce Thompson Arboretum, October 11, 2006.