Hesperaloe nocturna
Gentry
Night-blooming hesperaloe
(c) Pedro Nájera Quezada, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Pedro Nájera Quezada
Wikimedia Commons - Raffi Kojian
Wikimedia Commons - Raffi Kojian
What to Eat
None known.
Where to Find It
NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Sonora (n.e. & n.-c.))
How to Identify
An evergreen perennial growing slowly to 1.8 m, hardy to UK zone 7. Maintains foliage year-round with flowers from September to October. Hermaphrodite flowers. Prefers light sandy or medium loamy well-drained soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Cannot grow in shade. Tolerates both dry and moist soil conditions with good drought resistance.
How to Grow
Requires a warm, sheltered sunny position in a well-drained soil. Plants do not like wet conditions, especially in the winter. Plants grow for several years before flowering but, unlike the related agaves and yuccas, the plants do not die after flowering.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking seed for 24 hours in warm water may speed germination. Seeds typically germinate within 1 to 12 months at 20°C. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on under glass or in a cold frame for at least the first two winters. Plant out into permanent positions in early summer, and consider providing basic winter protection such as a pane of glass during the first winter outdoors.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Other Uses
The plant produces strong fibres suitable for making cordage. These fibres yield a paper with exceptional tensile and tear strength, making them suitable for high-strength speciality papers such as currency papers, bible papers, tea bags, and filters. They can also be blended with other fibres to improve the strength and texture of a wide range of paper products, including writing papers, tissue and towel products, and papers made from recycled fibre.
Wikipedia
Source ↗An evergreen perennial growing slowly to 1.8 m, hardy to UK zone 7. Maintains foliage year-round with flowers from September to October. Hermaphrodite flowers. Prefers light sandy or medium loamy well-drained soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Cannot grow in shade. Tolerates both dry and moist soil conditions with good drought resistance.
References (1)
- Brevard Country Edible Acres
