Calibanus hookeri

One of only two species in its genus, Calibanus hookeri is a member of the family Asparagaceae native to Tamaulipas in Mexico, which can easily be mistaken in the wild for a boulder overgrown with grass tufts.

Mexican boulder
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Calibanus
Species:
C. hookeri
Binomial name
Calibanus hookeri
Synonyms[1]
  • Beaucarnea hookeri (Lem.) Baker
  • Calibanus caespitosus (Scheidw.) Rose
  • Dasylirion caespitosum Scheidw.
  • Dasylirion flexile K.Koch
  • Dasylirion hartwegianum Hook. nom. illeg.
  • Dasylirion hookeri Lem.
  • Nolina hookeri (Lem.) G.D.Rowley

Description

Calibanus hookeri forms a large caudex which has been known to reach diameters and heights of up to 2.6 feet. Atop the caudex sprouts extremely narrow greyish-green leaves that look like grass. Each leaf rosette grown from the caudex is believed to be a vegetatively produced independent plant which dies after fruiting to be replaced by a new one. Flower stalks grow to 2-3.3 feet tall with many branchings and bear tiny, greenish white flowers.

Cultivation

Calibanus hookeri likes full sunlight and well drained and fertilized soils. Should be grown in a large and shallow container and should be kept outside in summer.

References
  1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
  • The Complete Encyclopedia of Succulents by Zdenek Jezek and Libor Kunte.
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