Agave americana

Agave americana (= Agave ingens), commonly known as Century Plant, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 10.1 History 10.2 Agave americana in art 10.3 Symbolism 10.4 Superstition 11 See also 12 References 12.1 Literature 12.2 Footnotes 13 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Agave americana was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Century Plant is a species in the genus Agave (century plant) which contains 221 species and belongs to the family of the Agavaceae (Century-plant Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 2 meters. They grow at a slow rate and have a long lifespan.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Agave americana is an evergreen plant with simple leaves. The leaves appear at the base of the plant. They are mid green and lanceolate with spiny margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are funnel-shaped and yellow. The plants bloom from July to August. The flowers are arranged in clusters.

The brown fruits are loculicidal capsules.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Agave americana is native to Mexico and is naturalized in the tropics and the subtropics.

[edit] Cultivation

The Century Plant prefers a sunny site and can withstand temperatures down to -6,6º C. It grows best in sand and sandy-gritty soil, sandy or pebbly, loamy soil, sandy clay soil that is dry. The plants are highly drought tolerant. They will not grow in anaerobic soils and are moderately tolerant of limy conditions.

[edit] Uses

Agave americana is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

== Man and Agave americana

[edit] History

[edit] Agave americana in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Agave americana in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Agave americanafr:Agave americana