Nolina

Nolina is a genus of evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae. Its native range extends from the southwestern United States and Mexico through Central America to Argentina and parts of northern South America, with the greatest species diversity in Mexico. Nolina species are adapted to arid and semi-arid habitats, including deserts, rocky slopes, and dry woodlands.

Description: Plants are typically either solitary trees or clumping rosettes. They usually have long, narrow, stiff leaves with sharp or fibrous margins, forming a fan or rosette at the shoot tip. Older individuals may develop trunks or caudices. In many species, a tall flowering stalk rises above the foliage; inflorescences bear small greenish to whitish flowers and produce dry capsules as fruits.

Taxonomy: Nolina was traditionally placed in the Agavaceae, but modern classifications place it in Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae. Related genera include Beaucarnea and Dasylirion. Some classifications have treated Beaucarnea as closely related to or within Nolina; however, current systems generally recognize Beaucarnea and Nolina as separate genera.

Care and cultivation: Nolina species are valued as drought-tolerant ornamentals for xeriscapes and warm gardens. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun to light shade, with minimal irrigation. Many species tolerate heat and drought but are sensitive to freezing, with some hardy only to mild frost in sheltered sites. Propagation is by seed or by offsets.

Selected species: Nolina bigelovii (Bigelow beargrass), Nolina lindheimeri (Lindheimer’s beargrass), Nolina nelsonii (Nelson’s beargrass), and Nolina microcarpa (sacahuista) are among the better known representatives.