Desert Spoon, Common Sotol
Dasylirion wheeleri
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Details & Attributes
| Plant Type(s) | Succulent, perennial |
| Native to Arizona | Yes! |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Pollinators | Bees |
| Has Spines | Yes |
| Size In relative feet, width by height |
5 × 6 |
| Freeze Tolerant | Yes |
| Flowering Season | May-July |
| Flower Color | White |
| Minimum Temperature Range | 10 °F |
| Leaf Description | Very long and narrow, forming a rosette at the top of the stem |
| Fruit | Very small. |
| Longevity In years |
40 |
| View on SEINet | View SEINet Entry |
| Range Map | View SEINet Range Map |
| Elevation Range | 3000-6000 ft. |
| Description | This agave-like plant grows best in deserts at elevations above 3000 feet. The narrow, blue-green leaves are armed with small, hooked teeth and spring gracefully from a central rosette. The plants have pollen bearing (male) and seed bearing (female) blooms on separate plants; male flowers are creamy white, and the female flowering stems appear a bright green. Although this plant looks somewhat like an agave, once it is an adult it flowers regularly, and the rosette does not die after flowering like agaves do. |
