Dasylirion leiophyllum aka Green Sotol

Dasylirion leiophyllum is also known as green sotol. This desert shrub keeps its leaves all year. It belongs to the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. It is native to southern New Mexico, Texas, and northeastern Mexico. Kew lists eastern Chihuahua and western Coahuila as its Mexican range. It grows on slopes with gravel, in canyons, and along arroyos. These sites have both limestone and igneous rock. Records place these sites at 3,940–5,910 feet [1,200–1,800 metres] above sea level.

The plant grows at a slow rate. Its leaves form a dense, round clump. Garden plants reach about 4–5 feet [1.2–1.5 metres] tall. They can spread about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. A short trunk holds the leaves above a woody crown. The leaves bend and have a strap-like shape. Both sides shine green. They reach 3.5 feet [1.1 metres] long. Red-brown prickles line the edges and point toward the base. Virginia Tech says the leaf tips fray rather than form sharp points. The sharp leaf edges still make the plant unsafe to handle.

In midsummer, greenish-white flowers grow in groups near the stalk's tip. This stiff, woody stalk stands upright, far above the leaves. It can reach 5–16 feet [1.5–4.9 metres] tall. Bees and other insects carry pollen between the flowers. Small, oval seed cases, called capsules, then form. Each has three parts and measures about a quarter-inch long. They turn gray-brown as they dry. Plants can bloom more than once in their lives.

Green sotol needs full sun and soil that drains well. It accepts sand, loam, or clay if water can drain. It grows in poor soil, even with strong alkalinity. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. They can also take some moisture in the soil. Dry air and little water in summer suit this desert plant. PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10 but warns of frost risk. Its round shape suits desert gardens and dry planted spaces. Tall flower stalks rise above the low mass of leaves.

PFAF lists sap, crowns, and young flower stalks as edible. Taking the crown kills the plant. Cutting young stalks does not kill it. Both tasks need care due to the sharp leaf edges. The tough leaves yield fibre for coarse cord and paper. People also use them for baskets, mats, hats, and thatch. PFAF lists no known use as medicine. The supplied sources name no specific pest or disease problems. They warn of harm from sharp parts. They do not establish whether the plant contains poisons.