Dasylirion texanum flowers
sporadically in one of the retaining walls near the top of the garden. This
year (2013) we had three two-metre flower spikes from this plant for the
first time. Another plant growing on the the 45º slab slope at the
rear of the house has 3-metre flower spikes but they are somewhat less impressive.
Dasylirion are dioecious and therefore two plants of different
sexes must flower simultaneously if there is to be the chance of seeds being
set. Dasylirion, like the agaves, is native to the Central American
deserts and requires much heat and light in order to grow acceptably. What
it perhaps lacks in beauty it makes up for with its strange individuality. Although its foliage bears a superficial resemblance to bromeliad foliage it is a relative of the agaves and yuccas.
© Maciej Pomian-Srzednicki, 2013
26/10/2013
Telephone 01803 201813
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