Commonly known as the desert spoon, Dasylirion wheeleri is one of the iconic plants of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, its long, thin, strap-like leaves emerging from a central base like a gigantic spiky ball. The first photo shows the flower buds beginning to open along the base of the inflorescence. Most of the flowers will emerge at the tip of the flower stalk, which can become massive—as long as 5 metres—looking similar to the Dasylirion acrotrichum previously featured on Botany Photo of the Day. The second photo shows the habit of a different specimen with a flower spike emerging.
The plant has long been used by local peoples. Its strong fibre was used to make sandals, rope and other articles. Archeological sites have turned up woven artifacts 9,000 years old. Dasylirion was also an important food source. The base of the stem was cooked and pounded into cakes for food as well as made into a potent liquor called sotol. The beverage has remained popular in the area that is now the Mexican state of Chihuahua and now appears to be ready for the world market. Tequila and the Rise of Sotol.
The closeup is outstanding.
Nice choice of close-up and the-whole-thing pictures. I like learning about plants that people use or have used for food, medicine, and other necessaries. Thanks !
Would you consider including the phonetic pronunciation for genus and species in your introduction?
I I look up the latin names and generally find any common ones available.
Keep up the good work!!
Dave, I don't know of a reliable source for Latin botanical phonetics. Latin is basically a phonetic language. One should be able to pronounce any Latin word just from the way it is spelled. The problem seems to be agreeing on how Latin words are pronounced.
Latin Pronunciation Demystified
if you drink enough of this plant
you will be able to speak latin
the pictures are just fine we have
plants in florida that look similar
i like haveing you in my mailbox
thank you
Thanks so much for the varied and often lovely daily dose of botany!
Perhaps a silly question, but I'm wondering why two plant families are given for this plant.
NHBabs,
Taxonomy of plants is an unfinished task. The experts have not generally agreed upon a family for this genus.