Beaucarnea olsonii

Beaucarnea olsonii is a plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Mexico. The species is named for the botanist Mark E. Olson.

Description
Beaucarnea olsonii grows as a tree-like plant up to 5 m tall. The trunk is greatly swollen at the base, with a diameter of up to 4 m. Its gray bark is scaly. The sword-shaped leaves measure up to 85 cm long. Its inflorescences bear whitish flowers.

Distribution and habitat
Beaucarnea olsonii is endemic to Mexico, where it is found in Puebla and Oaxaca. Its habitat is in deciduous forests, on hillsides at altitudes of 1200–1500 m.

Conservation
Beaucarnea olsonii has been assessed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by conversion of its habitat for agriculture and human settlement and by fires. The species does not occur in any protected areas.