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Form/fruit

Form/fruit

Agavaceae, Nolinaceae, Liliaceae

Devil's shoestring prefers the limestone hills and ravines in the lightly wooded areas of the eastern half of the Edwards Plateau where it is endemic (native only to a particular area). The inflorescence is borne on a stout stem three or more feet above the mound of thin, flat, leaves. The 12- to 36-inches-long by 1/2-inch-wide graceful leaves are minutely sawtoothed along the margin. Its purplish-tinged, somewhat inflated, but quite thin fruit is notched at each end. In a landscape devil's shoestring would be an excellent choice as a focal point or ground cover for dry, shaded spots on well drained soils.

Plant Habit or Use: groundcover
small shrub

Exposure: sun
partial sun
shade

Flower Color: white; creamy white to greenish white

Blooming Period: spring

Fruit Characteristics: inflated capsule

Height: 1.5 to 5 feet

Width: 2 to 4 feet

Plant Character: evergreen

Heat Tolerance: very high

Water Requirements:

Soil Requirements: alkaline
adaptable

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8

Additional Comments: Nolinas are polygamo-dioecious, that is: they usually have male and female flowers on separate plants, but each plant also has a few perfect flowers (male and female flower parts on one flower).