Dasylirion gentryi

Dasylirions are perennial and diecious producing huge flower spikes of either male or female flowers which are wind pollinated. Male flowers tend to be cream or yellow, while the female flowers of Dasylirion gentryi are the most vivid of all female Dasylirion flowers, being an amazing crimson in colour. Unfortunately, there is no way of distinguishing whether the plant is male or female other than waiting until the flowers open. The plant does not die after flowering but continues to grow as a single head of foliage. Though there may be a lot of insect activity around the flowers, they are wind pollinated and do not produce nectar.

The blue-green leaves are long and slender, emerging from a central point to create a hemisphere of foliage on a stout trunk. The plant can grow to 1.2m height and 1.5m across, occasionally throwing up a spectacular flower spike.

It must be grown in full sun and on very well drained soil. They are drought tolerant and can withstand quite low temperatures if grown in a dry environment; such as in cities or by the coast, on scree, or in south facing raised beds or slopes. Quite good in pots.

One of the 26 varieties of Dasylirion found in Mexico, Gentry’s Sotol is native to southern Sonora and Chihuahua on high land up to 1000m altitude. They grow on rocky slopes, in full sun and on the edges of oak/pine forests. The word Dasylirion is from the Greek, translating as shaggy lily – ‘dasy’ meaning dense or shaggy, and ‘lirion’ meaning lily. Historically, the leaves have been used for thatching, basket making and weaving.