Practical
Plants

Dasylirion wheeleri

Sotol

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Dasylirion genus in the family Agavaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Agavaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The central part of the plant can be cooked and eaten[1]. The crown of the plant was baked by the native North American Indians then dried, pounded into a powder and made into cakes[3]. They would also peel the baked crown, crush it, mix it with water then ferment it and use it as a beverage[3]. The flowering stems can be roasted, boiled or eaten raw[3]. The trunk is rich in sugar, the pith can be used to make the alcoholic beverage 'sotol'[1].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Stem

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are used in thatching, basket making, weaving into hats, mats etc[3].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Thatching
Product or use
Weaving

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Secondary canopy

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Arizona to Texas and Mexico.
Habitat
Dry rocky hillsides of the upper desert area in Mexico.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a very well-drained soil in a sheltered sunny position[2]. This species is not very cold hardy, and is said to require a minimum winter temperature of 10°c[2], However, plants can survive outdoors in the very mildest areas of Britain if given some protection such as a south facing wall and a suitable soil[K]. Plants are sometimes used in sub-tropical bedding schemes in Britain.

References

  1. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  3. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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