Accession Count: 11
Common Name:
blue nolina
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Nolina nelsonii
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
N. nelsonii is a slow growing, tree-like succulent that grows a dense rosette of leaves which eventually forms a short trunk at the base (1,2,5,6,8,9). The leaves are silvery blue or green, narrow, and blade-shaped typically growing to be 2.5 cm (1 in) and 1 m (3 ft) long with fine-toothed margins (1,2,3,6,8,9). Blue nolina is dioecious meaning that male and female flowers are found on separate plants (1,4,6). Mature plants produce a 1.2-2 m (4-6 ft) tall, heavily branched, bright yellow stalks with beautiful, fragrant, white inflorescent flowers (1,2,3,4,6,8,9) Later in the flowering cycle, male inflorescences become more barren as the flowers dry up and fall away, while female flowers after pollination become dry, papery capsules, each containing a small, round , tan-colored seed (6,9). This plant is polycarpic and will continue to live after it flowers, unlike agaves or yuccas (6).
Compound:
Nol nel
Geographic Origin:
Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This plant is native to the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas where it grows in desert mountains between elevations 7000 ft to 9000 ft (1,3,4,6,8). N. nelsonii was first collected by naturalist Edward Nelson near the city of Miquihuana; it was later described and named in his honor (1).
Cultivation Notes:
This plant can be propagated from seed collected at maturity, as indicated by dry open capsules (7). Seed should be germinated immediately or stored dry and cool for up to one year to ensure good germination (7). It is best to plant seeds during the cool season in a cold frame or greenhouse for best germination and transplanted into small pots the first year before planting outside in the second year (7). The plant can also be propagated vegetatively by taking individual offshoots from the mother plant during the cool/dormant season (7). The plant should be grown in full sun and a well-draining soil to thrive, but it is very tolerant and can grow in many soil conditions including dry, alkaline and rocky soils, full-part shade (1,2,4,5,7). When grown in very hot climates, it prefers partial shade (7).
Ethnobotany:
Nolinas have been used by many southwestern American indigenous groups, weaving the leaves into baskets and textiles being the most popular use, though the leaves were also used for thatching and even making sandals (9). The seeds, stalks, and flower buds were often fire roasted to eat (9). The large inflorescence attracts many pollinators like butterflies and bees (6,8,9).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
7) Lady Bird Johnson Wild Flower Center Accessed 12/10/2014
8) Seinet, Accessed 12/19/2024
