Dasylirion longissimum
Dasylirion longissimum, Male specimen in Vista Hermosa in Mexico
Dasylirion longissimum is a plant of the genus Dasylirion in the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). The specific epithet means longissimum very long ( Longissimus Latin: superlative of Longos long). An English common name is "Mexican Grass Tree ".
Description
Dasylirion longissimum forms a woody, stout trunk from 200 to 400 cm in height. The square at the base thickened warty, variable, green, thick leaves are 80-140 cm long and 10-12 mm wide. The leaf margins are finely toothed. The end tips are thin / acicular.
The Rispige, woody, narrow inflorescence is 3 to 4 m high. The numerous flowers are cream-colored. The flowering period extends from July to August.
The egg-shaped, tanfarbenen fruit capsules contain a seed and are 3.5 to 5 mm long. The triangular to oblong seeds are 3 mm long and 2.5 mm wide.
Distribution and systematics
Dasylirion longissimum is distributed locally at altitudes from 1500 to 1900 m in Mexico, in the states of San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo and Queretaro. It grows in desert areas on rocky slopes or on flat, bushy terrain, associated with Yucca queretaroensis, Agave striata and various Opuntia species.
The first description was in 1856 by Charles Lemaire.
The rare Dasylirion longissimum is a member of the Section quadrangulatum. A characteristic feature is the strong, up to 4 m high stem with the imposing, narrow inflorescence. Typical are the variable, square, warty, green, thick leaves, with the needle-like tip ends. It is confused with the quadrangulatum occurring further north, geographically isolated Dasylirion, however, differences in leaf structure and the Blütenphenologie are recognizable. At first glance similarities with yucca queretaroensis become clear.
Can longissimum Dasylirion short periods of frost survive down to minus 5 ° C
Dasylirion longissimum is little known, however, specimens found in the Botanical Garden in Huntington in San Marino and in the Ruth Bancroft Garden, Botanical Garden in Walnut Creek, California.