Mexican Grass Tree.
Dasylirion quadrangulatum, Liliid Monocot Family ( Ruscaceae ), Mexican Grass Tree. Also called: Longleaf Sotol, Grass Tree, Toothless Desert Spoon, Dasylirion longissimum.

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D. quadrangulatum is a native of the hillsides and dry riverbeds of northeast Mexico.

When fully grown they have glaucus-green stiff unarmed grass-like 6 foot long leaves. The leaves radiate symmetrically out of a large woody trunk that can slowly grow 6 -15 feet tall. In the summer, a nine foot tall spike of small white flowers emerge from their reddish buds.

Mexican grass tree is a spectacular accent plant that blends well in either a tropical or arid garden. It is a great container plant or focal point specimen in the Xeriscape garden.

It can be planted in full sun to light shade. It is drought tolerant and said to be cold hardy to at least 15 � F.

Quick Notes:

Height: 4 - 6 feet tall. It spreads to about 6 feet.

Flowers: A large stalk emerges from the center of the plant, it becomes 6 to 15 feet tall. Then dioecious; small, greenish white flowers clustered tightly on the stalk emerge from pink buds on the stalk; it bears female and male flowers on different plants; the female plant flower structure is more rounded, on the male plant it is more narrow.

Flowering Time: Phoenix Arizona, Mid June - July.

seeds: It produces small brownish seed about 1/2inch long joined with 3 papery disks as a trifoliate wing.

Leaves: The leaves are bluish-green with square blades, up to 6 feet long, depending upon the species, the leaves have or do not have prickles toward the base.

Found: The USDA claims it is native to the USA (NM, TX). Native to Northeast Mexico. Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas. And parts of Southern Mexico: Oaxaca, & Puebla.

Hardiness: Said to be hardy to 15�F.

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)

Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Light Shade

Elevation: 0 - 8,000 Feet. In native habitat. About 5,000 feet in Arizona.

Habitat: It grows well in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soils. It needs good drainage and aeration. Takes full sun; takes reflected heat. It grows well at low elevations in Arizona as well as at its normal range. Drought tolerant and cold hardy to at least 15 � F.

Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken Boyce Thompson Arboretum, October 11, 2006.