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Agave desmetiana 'Variegata'
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Synonyms: | Agave regeliana 'Variegata', Agave miradorensis 'Variegata' |
| Common Name: | Dwarf Variegated Agave, Variegated Smooth Agave, Variegated Smooth Century Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Dwarf |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.9 m to 1.2 m |
Biogeography
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Desert / Arid |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous succulent shrub, variegated type of dwarf species, up to 0.9m height when grown in ground. Grows as rosette, spreading by suckers and forming clumps over time. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves thick, slightly fibrous, lanceolate, sessile and arising directly from underground rhizomatous stem. Grey-green with creamy-yellow margins. Apical spine emerges dark orange, aging to blackish-brown. Marginal spines few or absent. |
| Flowers | Small, pale yellow, produced in towering panicles held on a single stalk 2-3m above the plant. Inflorescences often bulbiferous (ie. forming bubils or aerial plantlets). Monocarpic -- plant blooms once in its lifetime (typically at 10-15 years of age) and dies after completing its life cycle. |
| Taxonomy | Latest accepted Family (APGIII) is Asparagaceae. Previously placed in Agavaceae. |
| Cultivation | Prefers well-drained, sandy soils. Avoid waterlogging which promotes rot. Drought-tolerant when mature and established, needing only occasional watering. Irrigate young plants to prevent drying out. Apical foliar spines can be trimmed off, if desired (eg. when used near footpaths or play areas). Propagate by suckers and bulbils. |
| Etymology | Genus epithet 'Agave' derived from Greek term Agavos (meaning 'admirable', 'noble' or 'splendid'), which in turn was inspired by the Greek mythological figure Agaue -- daughter of Cadmus (founder-king of the Greek city of Thebes) and goddess Harmonia. Species epithet 'desmettiana' named after Belgian horticulturist and nursery owner Louis De Smet (1813-1887). |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Rooftops, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Rockery / Desert Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Terminal spine on leaves |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bird)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Leaf Cutting, Storage Organ, Sucker, Division, Aerial Bulbil |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Green, Silver / Grey, Yellow / Golden |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Leathery, Thick |
| Foliar Modification | Spine (axillary) |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square |
| Typical Foliar Area | Notophyll ( 20.25cm2 - 45 cm2 ) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome), Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Ovary Position | Inferior / Epipgynous |
| Flowering Period | Rarely |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Weeks |
| Flowering Habit | Monocarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29447 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3756 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
