Dasylirion acrotrichum
Dasylirion acrotrichum in culture
Dasylirion acrotrichum is a plant of the genus Dasylirion in the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). An English common name is " Sotol, Desert Spoon Green ".
Description
Dasylirion acrotrichum forms a stem of 50 to 150 cm in height, which is sometimes branched. The stiff, variable, slightly roughened, warty, green, thick leaves are 30-50 cm long and 9-13 mm wide. The irregularly arranged spines are directed upwards. The bushy / fibrous, white to gray peaks are irregularly spread.
The Rispige, woody, narrow inflorescence is 2 to 4 m high. The numerous flowers are cream-colored. The flowering period extends from June to July.
The egg-shaped fruit capsules contain 1 seed and are 6-7 mm long and 4-5 mm wide. The triangular elongated until seeds are 3.5 mm long and 2 to 2.5 mm wide.
Distribution and systematics
Dasylirion acrotrichum is widely used in Mexico in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla, Queretaro, Guanajuato and Mexico at altitudes of 2400-3000 m. It grows in desert areas and on stony slopes associated with Yucca decipiens, Agave species and different Opuntia species.
A first mention as Yucca acrotricha took place in 1829 by Christian Julius Wilhelm differences. A detailed description followed shortly thereafter by Julius Hermann Schultes. Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini put the type in 1840 in the genus Dasylirion. One of the numerous synonyms is Dasylirion gracile ( Brongn. ) Zucc.
The rare Dasylirion acrotrichum is a member of the Section Dasylirion. Characteristic features are robust, short, strong, sometimes branched stems. Typical are the variable, stiff, slightly roughened, warty, green, thick leaves with the fibrous / bushy tip ends. Nevertheless parryanum differences in leaf structure can be seen against the closely related Dasylirion. In the Hanbury Botanic Gardens in La Mortola, Italy, imposing copies can be visited.
Can acrotrichum Dasylirion short periods of frost survive down to minus 5 ° C.