Hesperaloe funifera
a perennial evergreen member of the Hesperaloe genus in the family Agavaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Agavaceae
- Genus
- Hesperaloe
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 1.8 m
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant produces strong fibres that can be used in making cordage products[2]. The fibres produce a paper with exceptional tensile and tear strength. Such fibres could be used either in speciality papers with high-strength requirements, such as currency papers, bible papers, tea bags, and filters, or they could be blended with other fibres to increase the strength and improve the texture of a variety of paper products, including writing papers, tissue and towel products, and papers manufactured using secondary (recycled) fibre[2].
- Product or use
- Fibre
Environment
- Range
- N. America - north-eastern Mexico.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- 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. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient[K].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a warm, sheltered sunny position in a well-drained soil[1]. Plants do not like wet conditions, especially in the winter[1]. Plants grow for several years before flowering but, unlike the related agaves and yuccas, the plants do not die after flowering.
References
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. Handbook of Energy Crops - 1983-00-00