Texas sotol
Dasylirion texanum
Family: Asparagaceae
What it is like
A grass like plant. The trunk and crown are usually less than 40 cm tall. The leaves are long and 1-2 m long.
There are 18 Dasylirion species. They occur in North America. Also put in the family Nolinaceae.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in the desert.
Countries/locations it is found in
Mexico, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The pulp of the young shoots are used as a source of sugar to make a drink called "Sotol". The pulp of the leaves and stems is also cooked and eaten. The sap is used to make a fermented drink.
Edible parts
Shoots, bud, sap - drink
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Green sotol, Sotol chino