Agave

For the Greek mythological figures, see Agave (mythology). For the ethnic group in Ghana, see Agave people. For the cactus, see Agave cactus.

Agave
Agave americana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
L.[1]
Type species
Agave americana
Species

See text. See also full listing.

Synonyms[1]
  • Allibertia Marion ex Baker
  • Bonapartea Haw.
  • × Bravanthes Cif. & Giacom.
  • Coetocapnia Link & Otto
  • Cotocapnia Link & Otto
  • Delpinoa H.Ross
  • Ghiesbreghtia Roezl
  • Leichtlinia H.Ross
  • Littaea Tagl.
  • Pothos Adans.
  • Pseudobravoa Rose
  • Robynsia Drapiez
  • Runyonia Rose
  • Tuberosa Heist. ex Fabr.
  • Zetocapnia Link & Otto

Agave (/əˈɡɑːvi/; also UK: /əˈɡeɪvi/;[3] Anglo-Hispanic, also US: /əˈɡɑːveɪ/)[4] is a genus of monocots native to the arid regions of the Americas. The genus is primarily known for its succulent and xerophytic species that typically form large rosettes of strong, fleshy leaves.[5]

Many plants in this genus may be considered perennial, because they require several to many years to mature and flower.[5][page needed][6] However, most Agave species are more accurately described as monocarpic rosettes or multiannuals, since each individual rosette flowers only once and then dies; a small number of Agave species are polycarpic.[5][page needed][6]

Along with plants from the closely related genera Yucca, Hesperoyucca, and Hesperaloe, various Agave species are popular ornamental plants in hot, dry climates, as they require very little supplemental water to survive.[6] Most Agave species grow very slowly.[5] Some Agave species are known by the common name "century plant".[7]

Maguey is a Spanish word that refers to all of the large-leafed plants in the Asparagaceae family,[citation needed] including agaves and yuccas. Maguey flowers are eaten in many indigenous culinary traditions of Mesoamerica.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference POWO_325900-2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference IPNI_325900-2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "agave noun". Oxford Learner's Dictionaries. Oxford University Press.
  4. ^ An Anglo-Hispanic pronunciation. Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607.
  5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Gentry was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Irish-2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bailey was invoked but never defined (see the help page).