Nolina Species, Basket Grass, Bunch Grass, Devil's Shoestring, Sacahuista, Texas Bear Grass

at first I didn't know the sex of all the divisions I obtained. turned out most bloomed male, then finally one female bloomed at the sam...Read Moree time, giving me seed. Were easy to start more from seed. The plants were originally seen growing in the Guadalupe mtns. Texas/ N. Mex.
plants seem to be smaller than most nolina species, thus good for small gardens. the bloom spikes don't rise above the leaves, and usually lie close to the ground. drought and cold hardy.

i have not grown this plant but have seen it growing in its native habitat as weell as a cultivated landscape plant.

Texas...Read More sacahuista, which is not a grass, natively occurs in the rocky soils of various habitats including hills, brushy areas and grasslands from Central Texas (very abuindant in the Edwards Plateau Region) to the upper Rio Grande Plains to most of the Trans-Pecos Region and into northern Mexico. It is also native to Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma. It is adaptable to a variety of soils including rocky, limestone-based, sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay, and caliche. It has numerous 2 to 5 foot long thin leaves which when young are arching, but with age, form a weeping mound The foliage is smooth or only slightly rough and has widely spaced teeth on the margins. The leaves are 0.08 - 0.16 in. (2-4mm) wide which gives it a grassy appearance. With adequate moisture, one or more flowering rather short, 12 to 24 inches long, stems appear. They have large panicles of creamy white to greenish flowers which are sometimes tinged with lavender. They are nestled among the leaves unlike some other species of Nolina blooms. Nolinas are polygamo-dioecious: which means that they usually have male and female flowers on separate plants; however, each plant also has a few perfect flowers (male and female flower parts on one flower).

To propagate, remove individual offshoots from mature plants in winter. Collect seeds when the capsule begins to dry and spread the seeds in thin layer. Dry at room temperature. Seeds should be planted in a cold frame or greenhouse in late January (cool weather). The seedlings do best if transplanted into 4 to 6 inch pots and given light shade the first season. The seeds may be stored in sealed, refrigerated containers up to one year.

Texas sacahuista is suitable for use on dry slopes, to accent limestone boulders, in rock gardens and wildscapes or in lightly shaded spots in wooded areas. Being evergreen, it adds winter interest. Native Americans used the leaves or the fibers from the leaves for weaving baskets and mats. It attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. It is a larval host for the Atea hairstreak Sandia hairstreak, Atea hairstreak and Sandia hairstreak butterflies. While the leaves are safe, the bloom buds, blooms and fruit (which are roundish) are toxic to sheep, goats and cattle. The toxin, capsicum annuum, can be an irritant to some people. It is deer resistant.