Desert spoon

Dasylirion wheeleri

This agave-like plant grows best in deserts at elevations above 3000 feet. The blue-green leaves are armed with hooked teeth and spring gracefully from a central rosette. The plants are either male or female; male flowers are creamy white, and the female inflorescences appear a bright green.

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Details & Attributes

Plant Type(s)	Shrub
Longevity	40 (in years)
Size In relative feet, width by height	6 X 5
Description	Very long and narrow, forming a rosette at the top of the stem.
Flower Color	White
Fruit	Very small.
Range Map	Click Here to View
Sun	Full
Spines or Thornes	Yes
Freeze Tolerance	Poor
Ethnobotany/Medical	Crowns pit-baked, crushed, and fermented for use as a beverage. Stalks roasted, boiled, eaten raw. Stalks used for cradleboard backs, as a source for material for basketry, mats, and for ceremonial purposes.
Water Needs	Low