With their explosive symmetry of serrated leaves radiating from a compact crown, sotols rank among the most visually arresting plants of the North American drylands. The genus Dasylirion — Greek for “shaggy lily” — brings together roughly two dozen species of tough, slow-growing rosette plants found from Arizona and Texas deep into Mexico.
Members of the broader agavoids alliance, sotols share their habitats with agaves, yuccas and nolinas but are immediately distinguishable by the fearsome hooked teeth lining their leaf margins. Increasingly appreciated by European gardeners for their sculptural impact and iron-clad drought tolerance, sotols deserve far wider recognition. This page provides a thorough overview of the genus and serves as a gateway to the individual species profiles available on succulentes.net.
Taxonomy and botanical position
Dasylirion Zucc. belongs to the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae (also referred to as Convallarioideae), under the classification system adopted by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG IV, 2016). The genus was described by the German botanist Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in 1838 in the Allgemeine Gartenzeitung. The type species is Dasylirion graminifolium.
The taxonomic odyssey of Dasylirion mirrors that of its relatives. It was originally placed within the broadly conceived Liliaceae, then shifted to the Agavaceae by mid-20th-century authors who recognised shared rosette habits and arid-zone adaptations. In 1985, Dahlgren, Clifford & Yeo segregated it into the Nolinaceae, a small family grouping Dasylirion with Nolina, Beaucarnea and Calibanus — genera united by their dioecy, dry fruits and nolinoid inflorescence structure. Molecular phylogenetic analyses from the late 1990s onward confirmed the monophyly of this nolinoid clade, ultimately leading to its absorption into the greatly expanded Asparagaceae under the APG system.
Within the nolinoid alliance, Dasylirion is sister to the Nolina–Beaucarnea lineage. All three genera share key features — dioecious flowers, dry capsular or papery fruits, rosettes of narrow leaves — but Dasylirion is immediately recognisable by its characteristic marginal armature: the hooked or saw-like teeth that make handling a memorable experience.
Monophyly and species limits
The most detailed taxonomic and phylogenetic study of the genus remains the doctoral dissertation of David J. Bogler (University of Texas at Austin, 1994), who used morphological and isozyme data to delineate clades and recognise approximately 20 species. Bogler subsequently described three new species in 1998. Plants of the World Online (Kew) currently accepts 23 species, a figure that has remained fairly stable, with the addition of Dasylirion micropterum from the Sierra Madre Oriental (described by Villarreal, Estrada & Encina in 2016) being the most recent significant addition.
Species delimitation in Dasylirion can be challenging: leaf morphology is highly variable within populations, herbarium specimens are often incomplete, and flowering material is difficult to collect from these large, dioecious plants. Several species pairs — Dasylirion texanum and Dasylirion acrotrichum, Dasylirion wheeleri and Dasylirion leiophyllum — require careful examination for reliable identification.
Geographic range and natural habitats
The genus Dasylirion is restricted to North America, with a distribution centred on Mexico and extending northward into the south-western United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas). Nearly all species are endemic to Mexico, spanning states from Baja California to Oaxaca, with the greatest diversity in the Chihuahuan Desert region and the mountains of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Durango and Tamaulipas. Only three species occur naturally north of the US–Mexico border.
Sotols colonise a range of arid and semi-arid habitats: rocky limestone slopes and outcrops (the classic sotol habitat — Dasylirion wheeleri, Dasylirion cedrosanum, Dasylirion leiophyllum); Chihuahuan Desert grasslands and desert scrub at 1,000–2,000 m elevation (Dasylirion texanum, Dasylirion berlandieri); montane pine-oak woodlands at higher elevations in the Sierra Madre ranges (Dasylirion durangense, Dasylirion gentryi, Dasylirion micropterum); canyon walls and cliff faces in vertical or near-vertical limestone crevices (Dasylirion miquihuanense, Dasylirion longissimum); and arid bajadas and alluvial fans at lower elevations in the Sonoran borderlands (Dasylirion wheeleri, Dasylirion simplex).
A common thread unites these habitats: all are characterised by excellent natural drainage, intense sunlight and a dry season of several months or more. Sotols are supremely drought-adapted, surviving prolonged periods without rainfall thanks to their water-storing caudex, waxy leaf cuticle and deep, fusiform root system.
Morphology: understanding sotol architecture
The rosette and caudex
All Dasylirion species form dense, symmetrical rosettes of numerous narrow leaves arising from a short to moderately tall caudex (stem). The rosette is typically hemispherical to spherical, producing a visually striking “sea urchin” or “exploding firework” silhouette that is the hallmark of the genus. A single mature rosette may contain several hundred leaves.
The caudex is woody, persistent and often short enough to be barely visible above ground level, giving the impression of a stemless plant. In some species, however, it develops into a true trunk: Dasylirion longissimum and Dasylirion miquihuanense can reach 3–5 m (occasionally more), topped by one or more rosette-bearing heads. With age, dead leaves typically persist as a dense, shaggy “petticoat” around the caudex, providing thermal insulation and habitat for small animals.
Leaves and marginal armature
Sotol leaves are evergreen, linear, leathery and typically 50–150 cm long, ranging from flat and ribbon-like to nearly quadrangular in cross-section (the distinctive feature of Dasylirion longissimum and Dasylirion quadrangulatum). Leaf colour spans a broad palette from vivid green (Dasylirion texanum, Dasylirion acrotrichum) through glaucous blue-green (Dasylirion wheeleri, Dasylirion glaucophyllum) to almost silvery blue.
The most diagnostic feature of the genus is the marginal armature: stout, sharp teeth or spines lining both edges of the leaf, typically curved or hooked, often alternating in direction. These teeth make sotols instantly distinguishable from the superficially similar Nolina (smooth or finely serrulate margins) and from Agave (teeth generally less dense and never hooked in the same manner). Leaf tips are variable: some species end in a sharp, rigid point, while others terminate in a characteristic dried, frayed tuft or tassel.
Inflorescence and flowers
Like nolinas, sotols are dioecious: male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. The inflorescence is a tall, narrow panicle arising from the centre of the rosette, typically 2–5 m tall, bearing thousands of small, densely packed whitish to cream or pale yellow flowers. Flowering usually occurs in summer and may take 10–15 years or more from seed.
Crucially, sotols are polycarpic: flowering does not kill the rosette. After blooming, a lateral bud on the caudex takes over, and the plant continues to grow. This is a key distinction from agaves and from some nolinas. Over a long life, a single sotol may flower many times.
Distinguishing Dasylirion from related genera
Sotols are frequently confused with nolinas, yuccas and even agaves by gardeners encountering them for the first time. A few key differences help:
Dasylirion vs Nolina: sotol leaves bear conspicuous hooked marginal teeth; nolina leaves are smooth or finely serrulate, never armed with rigid prickles. Sotol fruits are dry, 3-winged capsules containing a single seed; Nolina fruits are papery, 3-lobed capsules containing 3 seeds. Several former Dasylirion names are now placed in Nolina or Beaucarnea (see nomenclatural notes below), which adds to the confusion in older literature. The quickest field test: run a finger along the leaf margin. Hooked, prickly teeth = Dasylirion. Smooth or fibrous margin = Nolina.
Dasylirion vs Yucca: yuccas have bisexual flowers (not dioecious), typically broader and stiffer leaves, and a prominent terminal spine absent in most sotols. Yucca leaf margins are smooth or filamentous, never armed with hooked teeth.
Dasylirion vs Agave: agaves have thick, truly succulent leaves with a strong terminal spine, are monocarpic (dying after flowering), and bear bisexual flowers. Sotols have thinner, leathery (not truly succulent) leaves, are polycarpic, and are dioecious. The marginal armature differs fundamentally: agave teeth are straight or curved but not hooked and alternating as in Dasylirion.
Complete list of described species and synonyms
The genus Dasylirion currently includes 23 accepted species according to Plants of the World Online (POWO, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, 2025). The table below lists all accepted species alphabetically, with their authority and year of publication, native distribution (Mexican states and US states where applicable), and the principal synonyms encountered in botanical and horticultural literature. Species most commonly available in the nursery trade are marked with a star (★).
| Accepted species | Authority & year | Distribution | Principal synonyms & notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dasylirion acrotrichum ★ | (Schiede) Zucc., 1838 | Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas | Dasylirion graminifolium S. Watson (nom. illeg.); Dasylirion robustum Trel.; Roulinia gracilis Brongn.; Barbacenia gracilis (Brongn.) Baker; Bonapartea gracilis Sweet (nom. nud.) |
| Dasylirion berlandieri | S. Watson, 1879 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí | — |
| Dasylirion cedrosanum | Trel., 1911 | Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango | — |
| Dasylirion durangense | Trel., 1911 | Coahuila, Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas | Dasylirion wheeleri var. durangense (Trel.) Laferr. |
| Dasylirion gentryi | Bogler, 1998 | Sonora | — |
| Dasylirion glaucophyllum ★ | Hook., 1858 | Hidalgo, Querétaro (some sources also cite Sonora) | Dasylirion glaucum Carrière; Bonapartea glauca Hort. |
| Dasylirion graminifolium | (Zucc.) Zucc., 1838 | Central Mexico (Hidalgo, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí) | Yucca graminifolia Zucc. — Type species of the genus |
| Dasylirion leiophyllum ★ | Engelm. ex Trel., 1911 | New Mexico, Texas (USA); Chihuahua, Coahuila (Mexico) | — |
| Dasylirion longissimum ★ | Lem., 1856 | Hidalgo, Querétaro (central Mexico) | Dasylirion juncifolium Rehnelt. Note: often confused with Dasylirion quadrangulatum, which is a distinct species from NE Mexico (see below). |
| Dasylirion longistylum | J.F. Macbr., 1918 | Jalisco | — |
| Dasylirion lucidum | Rose, 1906 | Oaxaca, Puebla | — |
| Dasylirion micropterum | Villarreal, A.E. Estrada & Encina, 2016 | Coahuila (western Sierra Madre Oriental) | — Most recently described species |
| Dasylirion miquihuanense | Bogler, 1998 | Tamaulipas, southern Nuevo León | Formerly distributed as “arborescent form of Dasylirion texanum“ |
| Dasylirion occidentalis | Bogler ex Hochstätter, 2010 | NW Mexico (Sonora, Sinaloa) | — |
| Dasylirion palaciosii | Rzed., 1965 | Querétaro | — Narrow endemic |
| Dasylirion parryanum | Trel., 1911 | San Luis Potosí | — |
| Dasylirion quadrangulatum ★ | S. Watson, 1879 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, N San Luis Potosí (NE Mexico) | Note: treated as a synonym of D. longissimum by some authors, but accepted as a distinct species by POWO. Most plants sold as “D. longissimum” in the nursery trade are actually this species. |
| Dasylirion sereke | Bogler, 1998 | NW Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua) | — |
| Dasylirion serratifolium ★ | (Karw. ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Zucc., 1838 | Oaxaca, Puebla | Yucca serratifolia Schult. & Schult.f.; Roulinia serratifolia Brongn.; Dasylirion laxiflorum Baker |
| Dasylirion simplex | Trel., 1911 | Sonora, Chihuahua | — |
| Dasylirion texanum ★ | Scheele, 1849 | Texas (USA); Coahuila (Mexico) | — |
| Dasylirion treleasei | (Bogler) Hochstätter, 2010 | Tamaulipas, Nuevo León | Dasylirion longissimum var. treleasei Bogler |
| Dasylirion wheeleri ★ | S. Watson ex Rothr., 1879 | Arizona, New Mexico, Texas (USA); Chihuahua, Sonora (Mexico) | Dasylirion wheeleri var. wislizeni Trel. |
Nomenclatural notes: names transferred out of DasylirionSeveral names historically published under Dasylirion are now placed in other genera, reflecting the phylogenetic separation within the nolinoid clade: Dasylirion hookeri Lem. = Calibanus hookeri (Lem.) Trel.; Dasylirion junceum Zucc. = Nolina hartwegiana Hemsl.; Dasylirion longifolium Zucc. = Nolina longifolia (Karw. ex Schult.) Hemsl.; Dasylirion recurvatum Lem. = Beaucarnea recurvata Lem.; Dasylirion strictum (Lem.) J.F. Macbr. = Beaucarnea stricta Lem. The persistence of these old names in horticultural literature is one of the main reasons why Dasylirion and Nolina remain so frequently confused.
The Dasylirion longissimum / Dasylirion quadrangulatum problemThese two species are the source of widespread confusion in the nursery trade. Both produce the distinctive, spineless, quadrangular-leaved “Mexican Grass Tree” habit. Dasylirion longissimum (described 1856) is native to central Mexico (Hidalgo, Querétaro), while Dasylirion quadrangulatum (described 1879) is native to north-eastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí). Their ranges do not overlap. Some authors treat D. quadrangulatum as a synonym of D. longissimum; POWO (Kew, 2025) accepts both as distinct species. In the field, D. longissimum is typically smaller, greyer and scruffier, with a spindle-shaped inflorescence and summer flowering, while D. quadrangulatum is more robust, greener, with a taper-shaped inflorescence and spring flowering. The great majority of plants sold in commerce as Dasylirion longissimum are in fact Dasylirion quadrangulatum.
Annotated species list
The following list includes all 23 species currently accepted by Plants of the World Online (Kew), arranged alphabetically with brief annotations on distribution and key features. Individual species pages with full descriptions and cultivation notes are progressively published on succulentes.net — links will be inserted as they become available.
- Dasylirion acrotrichum — eastern Mexico; green desert sotol; leaves end in frayed tufts; one of the larger species
- Dasylirion berlandieri — Tamaulipas, Nuevo León; Berlandier’s sotol; wavy, narrow blue-grey leaves; very wide rosette
- Dasylirion cedrosanum — Coahuila, Chihuahua; one of the main species used for sotol spirit production
- Dasylirion durangense — Durango; montane species; used for sotol production
- Dasylirion gentryi — Sonora; described by Bogler (1998); named after Howard Scott Gentry; large, rose-coloured fruits
- Dasylirion glaucophyllum — Hidalgo, Querétaro; attractive blue-grey foliage; compact rosettes
- Dasylirion graminifolium — type species of the genus; narrow, grass-like leaves; central Mexico
- Dasylirion leiophyllum — Chihuahua, Texas, New Mexico; smooth-leaved sotol; widespread and very hardy; retorse (backward-pointing) marginal teeth
- Dasylirion longissimum — Hidalgo, Querétaro; Mexican Grass Tree; unique quadrangular, spineless leaves; arborescent; often confused with D. quadrangulatum
- Dasylirion longistylum — Jalisco; characterised by a notably long style
- Dasylirion lucidum — Puebla, Oaxaca; glossy green leaves; montane habitats
- Dasylirion micropterum — Coahuila (Sierra Madre Oriental); recently described (2016); small-fruited species
- Dasylirion miquihuanense — Tamaulipas, Nuevo León; arborescent; trunk to 2.5 m; dark green lustrous leaves; one of the tallest species
- Dasylirion occidentalis — Sonora, Sinaloa; western Mexico
- Dasylirion palaciosii — Querétaro; narrow endemic; known from a restricted area
- Dasylirion parryanum — San Luis Potosí; montane species, elevations to 2,400 m; compact
- Dasylirion quadrangulatum — Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí; the plant most commonly sold as “Mexican Grass Tree”; quadrangular spineless leaves; distinct from D. longissimum
- Dasylirion sereke — NW Mexico; poorly known; characterised by unusually large style and roundish fruits
- Dasylirion serratifolium — Puebla, Oaxaca; the sandpaper sotol; rough-textured leaves; southernmost distribution in the genus
- Dasylirion simplex — Sonora, Chihuahua; compact, simple rosettes
- Dasylirion texanum — Texas, Coahuila; the Texas sotol or green sotol; among the hardiest species; green leaves
- Dasylirion treleasei — Tamaulipas, Nuevo León; named after William Trelease, early monographer of the genus; small flowers and fruits
- Dasylirion wheeleri — Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Sonora, Chihuahua; the desert spoon or common sotol; blue-grey leaves; the most widely cultivated species; RHS Award of Garden Merit
Sotol and human culture
The name “sotol” refers both to the plants themselves and to the traditional distilled spirit produced from them. Sotol (the drink) is made by roasting the heart (piña) of the plant in pit ovens, fermenting the resulting liquid and distilling it — a process closely analogous to the production of mezcal from agaves. Sotol has been produced in northern Mexico for centuries, long predating the arrival of European distillation techniques; archaeological evidence suggests that indigenous peoples were roasting and fermenting dasylirion hearts for at least 800 years.
Today, sotol is the official spirit of the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango, with an appellation of origin (Denominación de Origen) granted in 2002. The main species used in production are Dasylirion wheeleri, Dasylirion cedrosanum and Dasylirion durangense. Unlike the tequila agave (Agave tequilana), which is massively cultivated in monoculture, most sotol is still harvested from wild or semi-managed populations — a practice that raises conservation concerns for some species.
Beyond the spirit, indigenous peoples of the Chihuahuan Desert region used sotols extensively for food (the roasted heart is starchy and nutritious), fibre (leaves were woven into mats, baskets and rope) and construction material.
Cultivation in temperate and Mediterranean climates
Sotols are among the most reliable and visually rewarding xerophytes for European gardens. Their requirements are broadly similar to those of yuccas, nolinas and cold-hardy agaves.
Light requirements
All Dasylirion species demand full sun. They are plants of open, exposed habitats and will not perform well in shade. Strong light ensures the compact, symmetrical rosette form and vivid leaf coloration that make sotols so desirable.
Soil and drainage
Drainage is non-negotiable. Sotols will tolerate poor, thin, mineral soils — indeed they thrive in them — but they will not survive waterlogged conditions, especially in winter. In heavy clay, planting on raised mounds, slopes or gravel-filled raised beds is essential. A substrate of 50–70 % mineral material (pumice, coarse sand, gravel, volcanic rock) mixed with compost or garden soil suits most species well. Many sotols are native to limestone terrain and appreciate slightly alkaline conditions, but most are adaptable across a range of soil pH values.
Watering
Once established, sotols need no supplementary watering in any European climate with meaningful rainfall. During the establishment phase (first one to two growing seasons), occasional deep watering encourages root development, but the crown should never be watered directly, as standing moisture in the rosette centre is a common cause of fungal rot. In containers, water moderately in summer and very sparingly or not at all in winter. A useful practical note: sotols have fragile root systems that do not tolerate disturbance well. Transplanting established specimens is difficult and often unsuccessful. Choose the planting site carefully and commit to it.
Cold hardiness
Several sotol species are impressively cold-hardy, though never quite matching the extreme tolerance of the hardiest yuccas or prairie agaves. The critical determinant is the moisture content of the soil: a sotol can survive −15 °C in dry, rocky ground but may rot at −5 °C in wet clay.
| Species | Approx. min. temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dasylirion texanum | −15 to −20 °C | The hardiest species; native to Texas; green leaves |
| Dasylirion wheeleri | −12 to −15 °C | The classic desert spoon; blue-grey leaves; RHS AGM |
| Dasylirion leiophyllum | −12 to −15 °C | Green to blue-green leaves; widespread in the Chihuahuan Desert |
| Dasylirion cedrosanum | −10 to −12 °C | Used for sotol production; robust species from Coahuila |
| Dasylirion acrotrichum | −10 to −12 °C | Green desert sotol; frayed leaf tips |
| Dasylirion miquihuanense | −8 to −10 °C | Arborescent; impressive trunk with age |
| Dasylirion longissimum | −8 to −10 °C (dry) / −6 °C (wet) | The Mexican Grass Tree; the most architecturally distinctive species |
| Dasylirion glaucophyllum | −8 to −10 °C | Attractive blue-grey foliage; compact rosettes |
| Dasylirion serratifolium | −6 to −8 °C | Sandpaper sotol; rough-textured leaves |
| Dasylirion lucidum | −5 to −7 °C | Glossy green leaves; best in Mediterranean or protected coastal sites |
Propagation
Seed. Sotol seeds germinate well at 20–25 °C, typically within two to six weeks. Fresh seed gives the best results. Because sotols are dioecious, seed production requires both male and female plants. Seedling growth is slow: expect several years before an ornamental-quality rosette develops.
Division. Most sotols are solitary and do not produce offsets or suckers, making vegetative propagation difficult or impossible for most species. Occasional branching after flowering creates multi-headed specimens, but separating these is impractical without risking the parent plant.
Pests and diseases
Root and crown rot — the leading killer, caused by Phytophthora, Fusarium and Pythium species. Almost always linked to poor drainage, overwatering or winter moisture accumulating in the rosette centre. Prevention through correct soil preparation and planting position is the only effective strategy.
Scale insects may colonise leaf bases, particularly on container-grown or stressed plants. Infestations are uncommon and usually minor; treat with horticultural oil if needed.
Rodent damage. In some regions, rodents gnaw on the soft caudex tissue of young plants. Physical protection (wire mesh collars) during the first years can prevent this.
Choosing sotols for your garden: a climate-based approach
Cold-continental climates (minimum below −12 °C)
Only the hardiest species should be attempted: Dasylirion texanum and Dasylirion leiophyllum, both of which tolerate severe cold in dry soil. Dasylirion wheeleri is also a realistic choice in sheltered, well-drained positions. Drainage must be impeccable, and overhead winter rain protection improves survival rates significantly.
Oceanic and temperate-humid climates (minimum −6 to −10 °C)
Northern France, southern England, the Low Countries and similar regions. All species listed above thrive here, plus Dasylirion cedrosanum, Dasylirion acrotrichum and Dasylirion glaucophyllum. The main challenge is persistent winter wetness rather than cold. Raised planting, gravel mulch and slope positioning are the keys to success.
Mediterranean and warm-temperate climates (minimum −3 to −6 °C)
Coastal Provence, most of Italy, coastal California, coastal Australia. The full range of species can be grown, including the spectacular arborescent Dasylirion longissimum and Dasylirion miquihuanense. This is where sotols truly shine as landscape plants, forming focal points of extraordinary sculptural power in gravel gardens, dry borders and minimalist plantings.
Frost-free and subtropical climates
All species can be grown outdoors. However, extremely humid tropical climates may promote crown rot in the more xerophytic species. Good air circulation and perfect drainage remain essential even where frost is absent.
Conservation status
Most Dasylirion species are not formally listed as threatened, but several face real pressures. The expanding sotol spirit industry, combined with the fact that most production still relies on wild-harvested plants rather than cultivated stock, places increasing strain on populations of Dasylirion cedrosanum, Dasylirion wheeleri and Dasylirion durangense in some regions. Narrow endemics such as Dasylirion palaciosii and Dasylirion micropterum are inherently vulnerable to habitat loss. Responsible gardeners should source plants from nursery-propagated stock and avoid wild-collected specimens.
Authority websites and online databases
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The primary international reference for accepted plant names, synonymy and geographic distribution. Genus page
- World Flora Online (WFO) — Collaborative global plant database. Genus page
- Tropicos — Missouri Botanical Garden. Outstanding resource for original publication references. Genus page
- Flora of North America (eFloras) — Standard floristic treatment for the North American species. Genus page
- USDA PLANTS Database — Distribution of plants in the United States. Genus page
- iNaturalist — Citizen-science platform with georeferenced observations. Genus page
- SEINet — Southwest Environmental Information Network. Portal
- CONABIO — Mexico’s national biodiversity commission. Website
- JSTOR Global Plants — Digitised herbarium specimens and historical botanical literature. Genus page
Bibliography
Bogler, D.J. (1994). Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Dasylirion (Nolinaceae). Ph.D. dissertation, University of Texas at Austin, 583 pp.
Bogler, D.J. (1998). Three new species of Dasylirion (Nolinaceae) from Mexico and a clarification of the D. longissimum complex. Brittonia, 50(1), 71–86.
Bogler, D.J. & Simpson, B.B. (1995). A chloroplast DNA study of the Agavaceae. Systematic Botany, 20, 191–205.
Irish, M. & Irish, G. (2000). Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants: A Gardener’s Guide. Timber Press.
Rojas-Piña, V., Olson, M.E., Alvarado-Cárdenas, L.O. & Eguiarte, L.E. (2014). Molecular phylogenetics and morphology of Beaucarnea (Ruscaceae) as distinct from Nolina, and the submersion of Calibanus into Beaucarnea. Taxon, 63, 1193–1211.
Trelease, W. (1911). The desert group Nolineae. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 50, 404–442.
Villarreal, J.A., Estrada, A.E. & Encina, J.A. (2016). Dasylirion micropterum (Asparagaceae), a new species from Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico. Phytotaxa, 253(2), 23–30.
Flora of North America Editorial Committee (2002). Flora of North America North of Mexico, vol. 26. Oxford University Press.