Accession Count: 229
Common Name:
desert spoon, common sotol
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Dasylirion wheeleri
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Dasylirion wheeleri is an evergreen accent plant which grows slowly to a height and width of 5 feet. (1). It has long, flattened, green to bluish leaves which grow in a rosette, and develop reddish-brown spines that point towards the leaf tip. Its leaves are long, flattened, and often blue-green with reddish-brown spines along the margins which point in the direction of the leaf tip. The common sotol's leaves are rigid, and end with fiber tufts. This plant can be easily recognized by its tall, (sometimes 15 feet) stalks which form in late spring and last through summer (1). Creamy tan flowers grow densely upon the stalk bearing creamy white flowers on a branched inflorescence structure. When pollinated, clusters of small fruits replace the blooms, and these capsules eventually dry and split to disperse seeds.
Compound:
Das whe
Geographic Origin:
Sonoran Desert
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Dasylirion wheeleri has many common names, such as desert spoon, sotol, common sotol, blue spoon, etc. The leaves of D. wheeleri have a spoon shaped base, hence the most common name, desert spoon (1). It is a long-lived accent plant, native to elevations from 3000 to 6000 feet in southern Arizona, northern Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas (2). It can grow in harsh and arid environments in South America (1). The common sotol is listed as "salvage restricted" under the Arizona Native Plant Law.
Cultivation Notes:
Dasylirion wheeleri is a moderate to slow-growing evergreen shrub with a single un-branched trunk (2). Desert Spoon can be easily propagated from seeds. Desert spoon grows from late spring to summer, and does not require many supplemental waterings once established. Supplemental waterings in summer will, however, increase growth. The flower spikes of D. wheeleri can be removed if desired. Full sun and well drained soil is preferred. USDA hardiness zone rating 8a-11.
Ethnobotany:
The desert spoon has been valued by indigenous people for its fibrous leaves. These leaf fibers are used to make baskets and sleeping mats (3). The Kickapoo use the common sotol's leaves as cordage for sewing cattail mats, and for tying saplings together to use in housing construction. The Zuni People construct winnowing baskets out of its leaves (3). In recent times, the heart of the plant has been fermented to produce a liquor called sotol (3).
In modern landscapes, D. wheeleri combines well with other plant species native to the Sonoran desert. It is compatible with plants in the following genera: Penstemon, Dyssodia, Baileya, and even bulbs such as Cooperia, and Zephyranthes. The common sotol is visually appealing on its own, and can be grown in a container. In landscapes, it can also be used as a rabbit deterrent.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
ForeSummer
Flower Season:
ForeSummer
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
- Arizona Municipal Water Users Association
- University of Arizona
- Ethnobotanical Info.
- Starr, Greg. Starr Nursery. Personal Communication.
Other resources:
- Warren, Jones and Sacamano, Charles. Landscape Plants for Dry Regions. Cambridge,
- Phillips, Steven J. and Comus, Patricia Wentworth. A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert. Tucson: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press, 2000. Print. University of Arizona
- Arizona Municipal Water Users Association
- Ethnobotanical Info.Hodgson, Wendy C. Food Plants of the Sonoran Desert. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2001. Print.
