As mentioned this is a ‘safe' species with no sharp edges to speak of. Since my plant has grown to … The agave’s leather-like leaves are distinctive for their spiny prickles. Veterinarian and Exotic Plant Lover... and obsessive, compulsive collector of all oddball tropical and desert plants. This species is happy in a large variety of climates, from hot arid to moist tropical. Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' flowering unopened flowers flowers, bulbils on Furcraea selloa and Furcraea permentieri (photo Jay9), Bulbil photos (second photo by cactus-lover). Learn everything about it in this informative article. Uniquely the coloration of the leaves from deep green … Some century plants' size make them look more pineapplelike--plants about 24-inches tall and wide mimic those of true pineapple. Agave look similar to Aloe, but generally have a wicked spike on the end of every leaf. For years I have been fascinated by Agaves and have grown hundreds of them in my yard. Eggs are useful... © 2020 Balcony Garden Web | All rights reserved, 12 Types of Agave Plants to Grow | Best Agave Varieties, To know more about agave plant benefits, check out our article, How to Make Liquid Grass Clipping Tea Fertilizer, 11 Plants that Attract Money$ & Bring Fortune to Home, 11 Upcoming 2021 Gardening Trends That You Must Check Out, 20 Practical Indoor Window Shelf Ideas for Plants, 6 Potent Indoor Palm Benefits Proven in Studies, 30 Pictures of Houseplants With Vintage Style Décor. Agave produces an extremely tall flower spike--sometimes reaching 20 feet--which heralds the death of the plant to follow. Some are variegated (though I don't know if that is a completely ‘manufactured' look or if plants in the wild are similarly variegated). The texture of the leaves is rough like shark skin. It’s a dwarf variety, growing slowly to about 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It can grow 12 inches tall. Mission | But as plants age, the effect matures to form a silhouette of a pine tree or possibly a Phoenix palm. In fact, you may have mistaken it for an aloe plant because, except when the agave is flowering, the two plants look quite similar. There are several other rosette-forming plants of the Southwest deserts that resemble agave and yucca. This evergreen perennial succulent looks even more incredible in the evening and morning light. There are several plants that are often mistaken as cactus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. All these plants are low-care, drought tolerant, and they look great year … Perfect for gardens and containers alike, the plant’s foliage resembles the tentacles of an octopus. It is a stemless to short-stemmed species forming a many-leaved clump about 4 feet by 4 feet. It takes around 10 years for the plant to bear glorious yellow flowers atop of a 10-20 feet spike. Perhaps the yellow flowers of the foxtail century plant (Agave attenuata) look the most like a … Agave is well known economically for the production of alcoholic beverage tequila, which is produced by blue agave. It has dark green leaves edged in white and featuring curly white hairs. It grows creamy white flower once in its lifetime. Tequila is obtained from the blue agave, which makes it quite popular. They are non-suckering rosette plants with thick, stiff, succulent leaves. And the fermented fruit was made into pulque, a sour, beer-like beverage. It has grey, sharp-tipped leaves which form rosettes about 1.8m (6′) wide. The leaves are narrow, deep blue-green and have soft marginal teeth. This article is an introduction to this interesting and ornamental genus. However since they do not sucker, this is their only shot at passing on their genetic materials so they do it quite flamboyantly. The first two are Agaves (Agave schidigera and Agave mutilfilifera); Last photo is of Yucca elata (photo by Xenomorf) The plant also produces a yellow flower, although it takes around five years to appear. Agave is usually found only in the southernmost regions of the U.S.--areas like Florida, portions of Texas and … Though quite rare, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a small and beloved variety than this one. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com, Variegated Succulents- the Agaves and their relatives, Variegation in Plants (and in some of my favorites), Celebrate the Winter Solstice and the Planetary Conjunction. Steamless rosettes give it an ornamental look thanks to the buds with white threads like imprints, hence the name. Like Agave, Aloe Vera plants reproduce with pups forming around the … In general, Furcraeas are New World members of the family Agavaceae and are basically large Agaves (though there are a few Agaves larger than the largest Furcraeas.) The Agave most commonly referred to as “the Century Plant” is Agave americana, which has been used in the landscapes throughout California for over 75 years. Designer Joe Stead's tips for mastering the underwater look: Add a showstopper. Large and unusual, the American century plant has spectacular, blue-green foliage. The plant, which actually takes an average of 15 years to flower, does not look like much until it comes time for it to bloom. Worldwide, there are over 200 species of wild and cultivated agave, diverse in size, form and … Advertise | Perfect for gardens and containers alike, the plant’s foliage resembles the tentacles of an octopus. Most of the agaves in this clump decided to bloom at once. Tour | Furcraea macdougallii is not nearly as common as the two previously mentioned species, but it is my favorite of the available Furcraeas in cultivation. Today, it is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. The plant can have a bluish green color or green and yellow variegated leaves. The leaf margins are heavily armed with very sharp teeth. Aloe is a succulent plant that looks like a cactus. In California agaves and aloes are becoming increasingly essential as water supplies are limited and plants and landscapes need to be more drought tolerant. Plant in Full Sun – Agave Blue Glow Plant in Full Sun, Agave Blue Glow Dyana Hesson They are non-suckering rosette plants with thick, stiff, succulent leaves. One of the plants I bought at last week’s Succulent Extravaganza was a stunning Agave guadalajarana.It was the blue form, seen on the left in this photo taken at Succulent Gardens:. These plants are stem-formers and older plants tend to keep petticoats of old dead leaves nearly the entire length of the trunks. Some form tall stems while others remain stemless. Mix lacy with bold. Some Agaves can look a lot like Yuccas... or vice versa. Central Phoenix -- I have an Aloe Christmas Carol, ... read more, I just found one upside down on our patio and put him ... read more, Flocks to the suet feeder along with the dozen or so ... read more, The tilt of the Earth causes the seasons © 2020 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands Proven. The different varieties of agave have different ages to bloom time. Young plants tend to have an upright habit with only the very oldest leaves protruding laterally. But on one of my trips to an arboretum, I saw some huge plants I thought were Agaves, and I was surprised to find that these were NOT agaves, but members of a related genus called Furcraea. Some have armed leaves (like many Agaves) while others have smooth, ‘user-friendly' leaves. As the name suggests, the leaves are blue-green and can reach a height of 7 feet. Plant in bloom: the flower stalk may reach up to 8 m (26 ft) in height Agave americana, common names sentry plant, century plant, maguey or American aloe, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Mexico and the United States in Texas. The century plant’s leaves spread out from a central core, resembling a rosette. Contact Us | I bought some agave sweetener to use in place of honey. The only other species I have come across in cultivation (though there may be more, of course) is Furcraea roezlii. The leaves at their tips curl inwards, giving it a very unusual yet attractive look. Furcraea selloa (wild sisal) is probably the next most commonly grown species in cultivation and is a much larger and less friendly plant, best used in wide open spaces or far from walkways. I really didn't notice much difference in … Yuccas can be identified by their distinctive sword-like spiky leaves and their white or whitish flowers growing on stems. The fox tail agave has a centrally curved spear, from which large green leaves emerge and curve back, resulting in a shape that looks like a large green flower. Yuccas have foliage ranging in color from green to bluish-green. It can grow up to 11 feet tall and produces canary yellow flowers in a long spike. The century plant, or maguey, species of agave is most commonly recognized as a landscape decoration. Agaves and aloes are two of the toughest groups of plants for a dry garden. It forms a dense rosette of 2- to 3-foot spaghetti-narrow green leaves with curly white filaments fringing off the edges. Agave desmettiana bloom stalks turn from green to red as they mature. One of the common names for Furcraea in the nursery trade is "century plant," a name often associated with some of the Agaves, which just adds to the confusion. Parts of the Agave Plant. Like most Agaves, Furcraeas are monocarpic. The leaves often last the entire life of the agave. 7. The most popular type of agave is most well known for its use in the production of tequila, mezcal, and agave nectar (a sweetener). The flowers are not quite as tubular but are often mistaken for aloe flowers when seen from a distance or seen by those who aren't familiar with the appearance of … Some yucca plants can look like trees because their leaves grow on thick cane stems. Furcraea foetida (Mauritius hemp) This is probably the most common Furcraea in cultivation partly due to is economic important as a source of hemp fiber (grown in massive quantities on the island of Mauritius, though this is originally a South American species) and partly due the plant being a fairly user-friendly as well as beautiful and manageable in the landscape. Yucca leaves are flatter and glossier than aloe, however, and they are not serrated. Back to the top Furcraea foetidas (first photo by Monocromatico). Agave americana (Century plant) This plant probably originated in eastern Mexico. Agave victoria-reginae: As this plant matures its broad leaves cup inward, forming a dome. Magical Eggshell Tea Therapy For Plants That Really Works! A. geminiflora, or twin-flowered agave, is an interesting plant from Mexico's west coast. It grows up to 2 feet long, and has self-reproducing little heads can be easily potted. Another rare agave that belongs to Mexico’s west coast. The agave has a fibrous leaf, with a vascular system of fibers running the entire length of each leaf. A Simple and Low-Care Mediterranean Border In this water-wise border, the ravishing blue-gray rosettes of Agave ovatifolia (Whale's Tongue Agave) are interplanted with the smaller bright green rosettes of Aloe nobilis (Golden Toothed Aloe). It's those species that will be briefly covered in this article. Agave tequilana, commonly called blue agave (agave azul) or tequila agave, is an agave plant that is an important economic product of Jalisco, Mexico, due to its role as the base ingredient of tequila, a popular distilled beverage. Agave tequilana azul: Weber's blue agave is used to make tequila, but it is also a very attractive garden plant, reaching upward of 6 feet tall and flowering in six to eight years with yellow blooms. Furcraea bedinghausiis (behind Agaves in first photo, and beside a Yucca in second), Read articles about: Cactus And Succulents, Furcraeas. Furcraea gigantea is a synonym. Featured Companies | Zones 8-11. Furcraeas are Agave relatives that look like large, trunking Agaves. In Mexico’s commercial agave fields, the plants are harvested at about 7 or 8 years of age, when they are full of sugar in preparation for flowering. Agave is a perennial succulent, found all over the world, but most notably in the Southwestern United States, Mexico, India, South Africa and tropical South America. This is a Century Plant, also known as Agave Americana, growing in Texas in the Austin area. Some form tall stems while others remain stemless. I never understood the reason for this common name, as neither Agaves nor Furcraeas live anywhere near a hundred years. The leaves of the aloe and agave may look similar, but they are actually quite different. These varieties are often found planted around the California missions. Gray spines on the edge of leaves in sunlight exhibit beautiful shades of coral, red, gold, and pink. This is Agave tequilana—the agave tequila is made from. It grows green-yellow flowers in pairs on either side, erect spike towering 8′ to 12′ feet, hence the name. Agave and Yucca-Like Plants of West and Southwest USA Plants > Agave and Yucca > Other Species. This plant is very popular in medicine as it has a lot of … Despite its petite size, the star-shaped Agave lophantha ‘Quadricolor’ (at top right) draws attention with its green stripes. With rigid and spiny foliage that can grow very broad over time, it gets its name due to its ferocious-looking hooked spines. Most widespread is nolina (beargrass), which has leaves that are thinner, straighter, less rigid and more … But Furcraeas are indeed a separate genus, differentiated biologically primarily by their distinct flower shape (bulbous versus filiform). It can attain a height of 2-3 feet. With silver and pale green foliage, foxtail looks graceful. Do Not Sell My Personal Information] Its common name is ‘century plant’, due to the mistaken belief that … Other giveaway traits are the water marks, or lines on the leaves left by the previous layer of leaves. Additionally, plants aren’t thorny like Agave. I never cease to be amazed at the little things that can keep two very similar plants from being closely related. Other yucca varieties look like shrubs. This plant is a Garden Merit award recipient and also attracts hummingbirds. Furcraea inflorescences are very tall (up to 40 feet in some species) and produce hundreds if not thousands of bulbils, on thin branches, which fall to the ground and root--that's the strategy, at least. I just doubt them. It takes around 10 years for the plant to bear glorious yellow flowers atop of a 10-20 feet spike. [ Home | Bronze eleagnus (Eleagnus pungens) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub, reaching 10 feet tall or more, and has green-gray foliage just like spineless agave. Large older specimens are imposing plants indeed. This is another blue-green-leaved species but these leaves are flatter and much wider like the two first Furcraeas discussed. This plant is cold hardy down to the mid-20s and prefers full sun in very warm arid conditions. However, your plant might not show these as they are sometimes cut off in the nursery before sale. Furcraea selloa with tall trunks Furcraea selloa 'Marginata' Furcraea selloa 'Marginata' with about 10 feet of trunk, leaf detail showing marginal teeth (photo by cactus_lover). Agave americana is about … Like a physician, diagnosis often depends on how the patient responds to a certain test action. Agave schidigera 'Shiro ito no Ohi' is a beautiful plant that looks great in containers. Wikipedia lists dozens of species of Furcraea, but only a handful are common in cultivation. Some coffee drinkers like to use natural agave syrup when sweetening their brew. Fox Tail Agave; Also known as Agave attenuata, this agave is commonly found in desert gardens and is a popular choice amongst landscapers. A fascinating North American Agave, Agave chrysantha (Golden Flowered Century Plant) is an evergreen, perennial succulent forming a pretty rosette of fleshy, sword-shaped, grey-green leaves which radiate gracefully from the center of the plant, giving it a neat and rounded shape. Plants that look like cacti, but aren’t: Aloe; Yucca; Haworthia; Stapelia; Pachypodium; Agave; Euphorbia; Ocotillo, or Fouquieria splendens; Echeveria; Gasteria; Ice plants, or Aizoaceae; Huernia; Lithops; Aloe. Unlike Agave plants that die once they flower, Aloe Vera plants continue to thrive to bloom again another season. sunshined November 3, 2012 . But this is not what agave is all known for as there many varieties out there which praised for their ornamental value and other reasons. Also, unlike other agaves, it has no teeth or terminal spines. As is the case with Furcraea foetida, the variegated (marginate) form is by far the most commonly seen thanks to its superior ornamental value. This plant forms a stem eventually (though some individuals flower before this happens) and some plants can develop trunks up to 10 feet tall. I looked through quite a few plants at the nursery before I picked what I thought was the most perfect one. To know more about agave plant benefits, check out our article here. It also forms a rosette resembling a flower that looks like a fox’s tail, which is the reason behind its unusual name. This eggshell tea recipe for plants is proven in the lab test. The leaves are narrow, long, and thin with a sharp spike on the tip. Though it flowers in 10 years, it would surely be worth the wait as its flowering spike reaches a height of 14 feet, making it one of the best Types of Agave! About | Though it flowers only once in a decade after planting, the wait is absolutely worth it as gigantic, asparagus-like shoot emerges from the center, reaching an unbelievable height of 12 feet with 25 to 30 short side branches bearing bright yellow flowers! Agaves (Agave spp.) Some that are confused include beargrass and several other varieties of agave, different species of yuccas, the 'yucca look-alike' - sotol, and ocotillo. Furcraea bedinghausii may be the same species but tends to be a larger, longer-leaved version. It … Aloe Vera plants bloom in summer, sending up a tall center stalk lined with yellow tubular flowers. You have entered an incorrect email address! Yucca is closely related to agave and looks more like aloe than stapelia. The agave plants were right alongside the cactus, but I didn't see any thorns on the agave plants like the cactus had. Botanical Name: Agave vilmoriniana. The flowers of this species are exceptionally tall and fairly sparsely branched. For those who are as confused as I was, here's another interesting twist. We have talked about some of the best types of agave below. In general, Furcraeas are New World members of the family Agavaceae and are basically large Agaves (though there are a few Agaves larger than the largest Furcraeas.) A cold hardy, whale tongue gets its name due to thick and cupped leaves that are powdery blue in color. “Winter ... read more. Furcaea macdougalliis, young potted, maturing but still no trunk, and older, trunking plant, clump of plants in Los Angeles (not suckering, but planted nearly on top of each other); second photo shows close up of leaf bases; third shows plant that has flowered and all leaves gone now. A tall, upright and sometimes erect flower spike emerges from the center of a century plant. These are desirable and beautiful markings. It reaches a height of about a foot, and cream … Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Davesgarden.com Terms of Use, Rules, Privacy Policy, and Cookie Policy. Media Kit | Its deep green foliage has bright white outlines, which looks like someone handpainted them! Every garden needs a striking plant, one that’s bigger or more colorful than the rest. This is huge plant forming a large trunk fairly reliably and these trunks can grow over 20 feet tall (I have not seen any taller.) The agave leaves looked very smooth compared to the prickly cactus. These fibers are used to make rope and string. Porcupine Agave Plant (agave geminiflora) – Totally unusual narrow, dark green unarmed, flexible leaves, often numbering in the 100’s, cascade from the center of the plant forming a dense rounded rosette of 2 to 3 feet tall by as wide, and look almost like a giant puff ball. This is a moderately user-friendly species with few dangerous sharp edges. However, when in bloom, it looks like nothing you’ve ever seen (except maybe in a Dr. Seuss book), as it sends up a tall, eight-meter (26 ft) high spike with offshoots of yellow, clumped … Queen … The leaves of the Carribean agave are pale green in color with a creamy margin and grow up to 2 feet long. It works! This plant has long stiff leaves (up to 5 feet) that tend to widen near the tip before narrowing to a sharp, stiff point (creating a sort of spoon shape with a needle at the end). The variegated forms (primarily one called 'Mediopicta', but there are striped and marginate forms as well) of this species are far more common than the plain green forms, thanks to their excellent ornamental appeal. The leaves at their tips curl inwards, giving it a very unusual yet attractive look. have a bold, interesting appearance and few maintenance requirements. With a dense rosette and a flower that grows on a spike 10 feet tall, it is a must-have plant in your garden! Very unusual yet attractive look Agaves in this browser for the production alcoholic... Are sometimes cut off in the Austin area landscape decoration and website in this browser for the plant s. West and Southwest USA plants > agave and yucca a dense rosette of 2- to spaghetti-narrow. 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