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Agave desmetiana Jacobi
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Common Name: | Smooth Agave, Dwarf Century Plant, 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 | Compact |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.9 m to 1.2 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Rosette of long, recurved leaves. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, strap-like leaves gracefully bend backwards. Leaves are partly folded together, especially near the sharp, reddish brown tip. They are green to bluish green with waxy bloom and smooth leaf texture. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence stalk is about 2.4-3 m tall. The immature inflorescence stalk initially resembles a young asparagus shoot. Greenish yellow to yellow flowers are arranged in several panicles that are evenly and widely spaced apart along the tall stalk. Flowers are produced when the plant is about 8-10 years old. The plant dies shortly after flowering only once. |
| Cultivation | The leaf color becomes darker green under full sun. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Rockery / Desert Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Sucker |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Weeks, Several Months |
| Flowering Habit | Monocarpic |
| Inflorescence Size | 2.7 m |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31535 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5934 |
| 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. |
