Hesperaloe

Hesperaloe (Hesperaloe funifera) is a potential crop producing unusually long, thin fibers that can be used to produce paper with exceptional physical properties. The plant is a long-lived perennial that grows natively in the Chihuahuan Desert region of northern Mexico and is targeted as a new crop for the southwestern United States.

Currently the University of Arizona is the only institution working on the development of Hesperaloe as a crop. Research on Hesperaloe has been conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center since 1995 to develop cultural practices to facilitate eventual cultivation. This research has included studies of irrigation management practices, stand establishment methods, planting dates, mechanical and chemical weed control, nitrogen fertilization and mechanical harvesting.