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Devil's Shoestring

Nolina lindheimeriana

Other common name(s):

Ribbon Grass

Family:

Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

4
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Rocky, Limestone, Calcareous, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Extremely drought tolerant. Winter-hardy. Makes a good evergreen accent shrub, Remove old or dead leaves from trunk for neater appearance, if desired. Propagation: Root division.

Comments

Blooms March-June. Resembling a large clump of grass. 1-3 foot tall spike of small, cream colored flowers opening in Spring and early Summer. Leaves are long, flat, and narrow, with fine saw-toothed edges. Fruit a short capsule about 3/16 inch wide. Native Habitat, in Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannas, Chaparral & brush country.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 253. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=NOLI. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Nolina+lindheimeriana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=22319&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=503961#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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