Dasylirion Species, Mexican Grass Tree
Dasylirion longissimum
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Genus: | Dasylirion (das-il-LIR-ee-on) (Info) |
Species: | longissimum (lon-JIS-ee-mum) (Info) |
Category:
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
This plant is fire-retardant
Foliage Color:
Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Spacing:
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Bloom Color:
Pale Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Winter/Early Spring
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Mesa, Arizona
Queen Creek, Arizona
Arroyo Grande, California
Brentwood, California
Carlsbad, California
Encino, California
Lake Elsinore, California
Pittsburg, California
Reseda, California
San Marino, California
Santa Monica, California
Spring Valley, California
Tulare, California
Yorba Linda, California
Miami, Florida
Las Vegas, Nevada
Florence, South Carolina
El Paso, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On May 19, 2004, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: The leaves radiate symmetrically out of a large woody trunk that can slowly but eventually grow 6 -15 feet tall. In the summer, a nine foot tall spike of small white flowers emerge from reddish buds. Plant in full sun to light shade. |
Positive | On Jul 9, 2003, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: Dasylirion are closely related to Agaves and look like Nolina species. They slowly grow like a large clump of very stiff grass, eventually forming a trunk (after many many years). Native to Mexico and Arizona, these plants are incredibly drought tolerant. However, they grow faster if watered well (don't water the crown, though- rot easily). This species of Dasylirion is probably the most commonly grown in cultivation in the US. It looks a LOT like Xanthorea, the Australian grass tree (completely unrelated, though). Even the flower spikes look similar. These make great specimen plants for xeriscape gardens. Small plants are relatively inexpensive, but larger ones are a fortune. These make excellent potted specimens, and are often kept well trimmed exposing an ornamental symetrical ... read more |