[Illustration: Dasylirion wheeleri
Agave palmeri
Yucca elata
Nolina microcarpa]
Common Names: SOTOL, SPOONPLANT
Arizona desert: (_Dasylirion wheeleri_). Creamy. May-August.
Texas desert: (_Dasylirion leiophyllum_). Creamy. May-August.
Lily family. Size: Leaves 3 feet; flower stem 5 to 15 feet.
At first glance, this plant may readily be mistaken for a Yucca, but its
ribbon-like leaves (which are usually split at the tips instead of
sharp-pointed) and tiny flowers instead of the bell-like blossoms of the
Yucca, are distinguishing characteristics. The round heads of these
plants grow close to the ground with the thick, woody stem beneath the
soil. Leaves, when stripped from the head, come away with a broad,
curving blade.
[Illustration: Plant silhouette]
When trimmed and polished, they are sold as curios called “desert
spoons.” In some portions of the desert near large cities, exploitation
of the plants for this purpose has endangered the species and aroused
the ire of conservationists.
The cabbage-like base, after the leaves are removed, is split and fed to
livestock as an emergency ration during periods of drought.
The rounded heads of these plants are high in sugar which is dissolved
in the sap of the bud stalk. This sap, when gathered and fermented,
produces a potent beverage called “sotol,” which is the “bootleg” of
northern Mexico.