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Agave parryi subsp. parryi
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Synonyms: | Agave parryi var. truncata |
| Common Name: | Artichoke Agave |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 30 cm to 51 cm |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 51 m to 75 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Desert / Semi-Desert) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Desert / Arid |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Solitary or clump-forming succulent with a round shape up to 0.5 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thick, blue-grey leaves are typically egg-shaped with the wider end at the tip, but sometimes with the narrow end at the tip (10-30 cm long, 8-13 cm wide). The leaf tip ends in a long, reddish brown terminal spine which is stiff and slightly wavy (2-2.5 cm long). The leaf margin is straight, lying flat below the marginal spines, and partly outlined by a thin reddish brown stripe near the tip. It is lined with reddish brown, hooked marginal spines which are larger near the tip. |
| Flowers | Flower buds are yellow with red or pink tints, turning bright yellow when they open. They are arranged in rounded clusters along the upper half of the inflorescence stalk (3.4-6 m tall) on 18-30 thick branches. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Focal Plant, Container Planting |
| Thematic Landscaping | Silver Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Sucker |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, 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 (Ovate, Obovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Spiny |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Bluish Grey |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
| Flowering Habit | Monocarpic, Long-lived |
References
| References | Irish, M. & Irish, G.. 2000. Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants. USA: Timber Press, Inc.. 312 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31860 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6261 |
| 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. |
