The Genus Hesperaloe
False Yucca
Family: Asparagaceae
There are 8 species of Hesperaloe native to the arid parts of Texas in the United States and Mexico. The genus name is derived from the Greek word hesperos, meaning "western," and aloe, which the plants resemble. The genus is not closely related to Aloe, the later belonging to a different family (Asphodelaceae).
Hesperaloe are hummingbird, moth, and bat pollinated.
Hesperaloe species has potential to be a productive agricultural crop in arid regions of the United States. The University of Arizona has been working with several companies in the pulp and paper industry to develop Hesperaloe as a new source of fibers for papermaking. Hesperaloe fibers are unusually long and thin, similar to those of abaca and sisal. Such nonwood fibers have important uses in high-value specialty papers. While abaca and sisal fibers are imported, Hesperaloe could be produced in the southwestern United States. Hesperaloe funifera is the most popular species farmed for this purpose.
