Dasylirion wheeleri

Common Sotol, Sotol, Desert Spoon, Desert Candle

Desert Spoon Yucca is an evergreen, long-lived plant with long, gray strap-shaped serrated leaves on a stout, short trunk that can rise 4 to 6 feet, and the spread can be about the same. The 3-long narrow leaves are blue-gray in color with sharply serrated margins and a spoon-shaped base that gives the plant one of its common names. These leaf bases remain on the trunk, giving it a rough appearance. 

Flowering occurs only every few years. Tiny pale brownish greenish male or female flowers (this is a dioecious plant bearing flowers of one sex or the other) on stout spikes 10 to 15 feet tall from the center of the leaf rosette in early summer. After flowering, the rosette branches at the base of the inflorescence to replace the flowering rosette and enable the stem to continue to grow. 

Plant in full sun. It is drought tolerant and hardy to 0 degrees F. Though flowering is not a regular occurrence, the flowers are interesting and attract bees, butterflies, and other insects to the garden. It is a challenge in the garden as its teeth along the leaf margins are sharp and will grab clothing and skin, so keep away from pathways. Wear leather gloves when trimming or pulling older leaves. This plant inhabits rocky hillsides and grasslands from 3,000 to 6,000 feet in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico west Texas and south into Sonora Mexico. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'dasys', meaning "dense", "rough" or "shaggy" and 'lirion' meaning "lily" likely about the long rough leaves.

BONAP MAP

Height: 3'-5'
Spread: 4'-5'
Bloom: Every few years in spring.
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low
Zone: 8, 9, 10, 11
Origin: Southwest U.S., Mexico