Dasylirion cedrosanum

Botanical Description

Dasylirion cedrosanum is an evergreen, succulent perennial plant producing a trunk that can eventually be around 100 - 150cm long, and upon which there is a rosette of narrow, prickly leaves that can each be around 100 cm long. The plant usually flowers annually, producing a flowering stem that can be up to 5 metres long[ 411 Title Trees and Shrubs of Mexico Publication Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23 Author Standley P.C. Publisher Smithsonian Institution; Washington Year 1926 ISBN Description Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. This species is one of the most important non-timber forest products in rural areas of northeastern Mexico, being used as a source of food, alcoholic drinks and a range of materials. It is harvested from the wild on a large scale for the commercial production of the alcoholic beverage 'sotol'[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. The plant is also sometimes grown as an ornamental[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Although harvesting of Dasylirion cedrosanum is occurring for several purposes, the current population is apparently large and stable without any survival problems. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].