All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

Dasylirium quadrangulatum
This is one the most dazzling of the Dasylirions, most resembling the genus Xanthorea, the grass trees of Australia. It is an extremely graceful and very symmetric plant forming a shimmering orb of fine grassy leaves that tremble beautifully in the slightest breeze.
 

Cultivation: Dasylirions are slow growing, carefree and durable drought tolerant plant. However, they grow faster if watered well (don't water the crown, though they rot easily). In the garden they should be placed in a sunny, well-drained area with additional summer water in dry climates. These make great specimen plants for xeriscape gardens and blend well in either tropical or arid gardens. Small plants are relatively inexpensive, but larger ones are a fortune. These make excellent potted specimens, and their symmetrical form provides a striking focal point. They thrive best in full sun, but can be grown with some shade and humidity. Plant in very fast draining soil and provide little or no water in winter. Treat like a succulent. Best where winter temperatures stay above 10° C, but can take some periods of frost. Plants in containers can be moved inside during longer cold spells.

Propagation: Easy to propagate from seeds or cuttings (If available).

Advertising

Scientific name:  Dasylirion quadrangulatum

Origin:  Fairly limited in range in northeastern Mexico

Common English Names include: Mexican Grass Tree, Bear Grass, Sotol

Taxonomy: The D. longispinus complex comprises 2 very similar species D. quadrangularis and D. longissimus both characterized by long, narrow, quadrangular leaves with reduced or absent marginal spines.

Synonyms:

• Dasylirion longissimum

Description: D. quadrangularis is a slow growing durable evergreen shrub that looks like a miniature palm with a large spherical clump of very stiff grassy leaves, eventually forming (after many many years) a solitary trunk up to 100(-150) cm tall (although sometimes multiple heads are produced), most resembling the genus Xanthorea, the grass trees of Australia. (completely unrelated, though) Even the flower spikes look similar. Withstanding intense drought, they can live more than 150 years.
Leaves: The leaves radiate symmetrically from the trunk to form a 2-2,50 cm wide rosette. They are glaucous-green larger at the base and narrowing farther out on the leaf. (usually less than 5 mm wide) quadrangular in cross section, completely unarmed, with smooth or slightly rough margins with no distinct teeth and long (the more shade it's in, the longer the leaves). They can stretch up to 120 cm or more. Older leaves droop around the base, forming a shaggy mantle that collects water and provides support. But in cultivation the bottom leaves can be trimmed exposing an ornamental symmetrical spiral leaf-base pattern that never fails to attract comments.
Trunk: Large woody.
Flowers: Plants dioecious. It forms a 2-3 m tall spike (of which the top 1/3-1/4 is the flowering section) of small white, tan or cream flowers that emerge from reddish buds.
Blooming season: They may go years without blooming, then send up the tall flower stalk in summer.
Fruit: If successfully fertilized, will produce a colourful red-pink plume of tightly packed seeds where the flowers were earlier... this all happens in the fall. Fruit are dry, indehiscent, 3 winged, with a single seed.
 

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Encyclopaedia of Succulents. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.