Agave filifera, the thread agave, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Central Mexico from Querétaro to Mexico State. It is a small or medium-sized succulent plant that forms stemless rosette up to 3 feet (91 cm) across and up to 2 feet (61 cm) tall. The leaves are dark green to a bronzish-green in color and have very ornamental white bud imprints. The flower stalk is up to 11.5 feet (3.5 m) tall and is densely loaded with yellowish-green to dark purple flowers up to 2 inches (5.1 cm) long.[3] Flowers appear in autumn and winter.[4]

Agave filifera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Species:
A. filifera
Binomial name
Agave filifera
Synonyms[2]
  • Agave filamentosa Salm-Dyck
  • Agave pseudofilifera H. Ross & Lanza
  • Bonapartea filamentosa (Salm-Dyck) Boucen.

This evergreen succulent perennial requires heated indoor culture during winter in temperate regions, though it may be placed outside during summer months. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5] In general, Agave do not need to be repotted every year. Most of the species commonly found in cultivation grow very slowly and will take a long time to outgrow their pot. It is also best to handle the Agave as little as possible, since they do not like to be disturbed.[3]

Because the species is widespread and appears to have a stable population, it is not considered by the IUCN to be threatened.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Hernández Sandoval, L.; Sánchez, E.; Zamudio, S.; González-Elizondo, M.; Hernández-Martínez, M.; Matías-Palafox, M. (2019). "Agave filifera". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T115623164A116353803. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T115623164A116353803.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families".
  3. ^ a b "Agave filifera – Thread Leaf Agave". World of Succulents. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  4. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  5. ^ "Agave filifera AGM". Plant Selector. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 12 March 2020.