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Agave victoriae-reginae

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Agave victoriae-reginae T.Moore

Family Name: Asparagaceae
Common Name: Queen Victoria's Agave, 厚葉龍舌蘭

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Common Names
Comments

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 Rounded
Maximum Height 0.5 m to 0.7 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 0.5 m to 0.7 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Mexico, North America

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Succulent with a spherical growth form up to 0.7 m wide. It usually occurs solitary, but sometimes produces a few offsets.
Foliage Thick, green leaves (15-20 cm long, 3.8-6 cm wide) are variegated with thin, white lines, especially along the leaf margin. They are hard, triangular and armed with 1-3 black, stiff spines (1.3-2.5 cm long) at the tip. Leaves are tightly packed together in a spherical rosette.
Flowers Cream-coloured flowers have purple to red tints. They are arranged along the upper half of a 3-4 m tall spike inflorescence.
Habitat It grows in deserts and semi-deserts, forming large colonies on steep slopes and cliffs.
Associated Flora In its native habitat, it often grows alongside bromeliads from the genus Hechtia.
Cultivation This species grows well in shallow containers under full sun. Plants flower once at 20-30 years of age, produce fruits and die shortly after.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping Rockery / Desert Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons Spines/Thorns - Leaf

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Little Water
Rootzone Tolerance Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Pest(s) Sucking Insects
Propagation Method Seed, Sucker
Plant Growth Rate Remarks Slow

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, White
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Powdery / Waxy Bloom, Thick
Foliar Modification Spine (marginal)
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Attachment to Stem Sessile
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong)
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Truncate / Square
Typical Foliar Size 15 cm to 20 cm

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Cream / Off-White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Inflorescence Type Spike
Flowering Habit Monocarpic, Long-lived

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Master ID 31675
Species ID 6074
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.
Species record last updated on: 23 March 2022.
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