Beargrass does not grow on the flat mesas or sandy flats as do the Yuccas, but is confined to exposed locations on rocky slopes above the 3,000-foot elevation. The Parry Nolina of the California Desert is a larger and more spectacular plant than the species found in the Arizona and Texas-New Mexico Deserts. Indians are reported to use the very young flower stalks for food. Leaves are browsed by livestock in times of drought, sometimes with harmful results in the case of sheep or goats. [Illustration: Nolina parryi] CREAM [Illustration: Dasylirion wheeleri Agave palmeri Yucca elata Nolina microcarpa] Common Names: SOTOL, SPOONPLANT Arizona desert: (_Dasylirion wheeleri_). Creamy. May-August. Texas desert: (_Dasylirion leiophyllum_). Creamy. May-August. Lily family. Size: Leaves 3 feet; flower stem 5 to 15 feet. At first glance, this plant may readily be mistaken for a Yucca, but its ribbon-like leaves (which are usually split at the tips instead of sharp-pointed) and tiny flowers instead of the bell-like blossoms of the Yucca, are distinguishing characteristics. The round heads of these plants grow close to the ground with the thick, woody stem beneath the soil. Leaves, when stripped from the head, come away with a broad, curving blade. [Illustration: Plant silhouette] When trimmed and polished, they are sold as curios called “desert spoons.” In some portions of the desert near large cities, exploitation of the plants for this purpose has endangered the species and aroused the ire of conservationists. The cabbage-like base, after the leaves are removed, is split and fed to livestock as an emergency ration during periods of drought. The rounded heads of these plants are high in sugar which is dissolved in the sap of the bud stalk. This sap, when gathered and fermented, produces a potent beverage called “sotol,” which is the “bootleg” of northern Mexico. CREAM Common Names: NARROW-LEAF YUCCA, (_PALMILLA_), OUR-LORD’S-CANDLE, SPANISH-DAGGER, SOAPWEED, SPANISH-BAYONET Arizona and Texas deserts: (_Yucca elata_). Creamy. May-July. California desert: (_Yucca whipplei_). Creamy-white. May-June. Lily family. Clumps 8-12 feet; _Y. elata_ sometimes to 20 feet. CREAM The Narrow-leaf Yuccas are frequently confused with the _Agaves_ (Century plant), _Dasylirion_ (Sotol), and _Nolinas_ (Beargrass) but may readily be recognized by the fibers protruding from the margins of the leaves. To permit comparison and bring out the differences so that the four groups may be recognized and confusion avoided, sketches of all four appear on the same plate (p. 21).