AGAVE (from agauos, admirable; referring to the stately form in which some of them flower). ORD. Amaryllideae. Flower-scape tall, proceeding from the centre of the rosette of leaves; perianth funnel-shaped, six-parted. Leaves large, fleshy, tufted. Mr. B. S. Williams describes them as follows: "They are noble, massive-growing plants, and form magnificent ornaments in the greenhouse or conservatory; whilst, from their slow growth, they do not rapidly get too large, even for a small greenhouse. Indeed, some of the real gems of this genus are neat, compact-growing plants, seldom exceeding 2ft. in height. Besides being fine ornamental plants for indoor decoration, the larger growing kinds are unquestionably the finest objects for the embellishment of terrace-walks, or surmounting flights of steps in the open air during the summer season, and also for plunging in rockwork, or about any rustic nooks in the pleasure-grounds, as, in such situations, they are quite in keeping, and thrive admirably. As is well known, they attain maturity very slowly; but when this condition is reached, the plant sends up a flower spike, and, after perfecting this, dies." AGAVE Sartorii, and a few others are, however, exceptional, and go on flowering year after year. It is certainly fallacious to suppose it takes them a hundred years to flower. Agaves succeed well potted in good loam and river sand, to which may be added a little peat and leaf mould for some of the smaller-growing kinds. The drainage should be good, as they enjoy a liberal supply of water during the summer season, but during winter considerably less will be required. They can be increased by suckers when these are to be obtained, and also by seeds, to secure the production of which, in the species that do not yield suckers, the flowers should be carefully impregnated. In the following descriptive list of species, only those of horticultural value are mentioned, some of which are still rare; and in describing them we have availed ourselves of Mr. J. G. Baker's excellent monograph, which appeared in the columns of the Gardeners' Chronicle. Many are omitted, not from any deficiency in horticultural beauty, but because, in several instances, only one plant of a species is known to exist in cultivation, and such cannot, therefore, hope to become in general cultivation for many years hence. AGAVE albicans (whitened). Probably a variety of AGAVE micrantha. AGAVE Alibertii (Alibert's). fl. 1in. long, on short pedicels; perianth tube greenish, funnel-shaped, the segments short, lanceolate-deltoid; peduncle (including the lax, simple raceme) 4ft. to 5ft. high. l., produced ones ten to twelve, lanceolate, denticulate, forming a rosette. Native country unknown. 1877. SYN. Alibertia intermedia. AGAVE americana (American).* fl. yellowish-green, 2in. to 3 1/2in.long, in very dense globose clusters, on pedicels 1/4in. to 1/2in. long; scape, including the thyrsoid panicle, 24ft. to 36ft. high. August. l. usually thirty to forty, sometimes more, in a rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 3ft. to 6ft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad above the middle, glaucous green, more or less concave all down the face, the outer leaves recurved, the dark brown pungent point 1in. to 2in. long; prickles brown-tipped, 1/6in. to 1/4in. long. South America, 1640. AGAVE americana mexicana (Mexican). A variety much shorter in the leaves than the species, of which it may be regarded as one of the many small forms. AGAVE americana picta (painted).* l. 2ft. to 3ft. long, about 4in. wide, lower ones recurved, upper ones erect, moderately thick, rich golden yellow on both sides, bordered with dark green. A very splendid variety. SYN. AGAVE ornata. AGAVE americana variegata (variegated). l. 6ft. or more in length, 6in. or 8in. wide, dark green in the centre, broadly margined with rich yellow. A very desirable variety. AGAVE amoena (pleasing). Referred to AGAVE Scolymus. AGAVE amurensis (Amur River). Synonymous with AGAVE xylacantha. AGAVE applanata (plano-convex-leaved). fl. unknown. l. twenty to forty in a dense sessile rosette, reaching a couple of feet in diameter, oblong-spathulate, 8in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 3 1/2in. broad, the lower half of the face flat, the upper half concave, suddenly terminating in a pungent brown spine above 1in. long, blue-green bordered with brown; prickles 1/4in. to 1/3in. long, bright brown. Mexico, 1869. AGAVE atrovirens (dark-green). Synonymous with AGAVE Salmiana. AGAVE attenuata (attenuated).* fl. greenish-yellow, 2in. long; pedicels about 1/4in. long, on a dense spike, 6ft. to 8ft. long, and 6in. in diameter; bracts overtopping the perianth. l. ten to twenty, in a dense rosette at the top of the stem, oblong-spathulate, 2ft. to 2 1/2ft. long, 8in. to 9in. broad two-thirds of the way up, narrowed to 2 1/2in. to 3in. above the base, persistently glaucous, one of the most fleshy of all in texture; face rather concave when young; tip not pungent, edge quite entire. Stem 4ft. to 7ft. high, 3in. to 4in. thick. Mexico, 1834. A most distinct Species. AGAVE Baxteri (Baxter's). fl. disposed in a thyrsoid, loose panicle 4ft. to 5ft. long; perianth tube yellow, 1/2in. long, dilated at the middle; filaments 3/4in. to 1in. long; anthers linear, 1/2in. long; ovary cylindrical-trigonous, 1in. long; peduncle 4ft. to 5ft. long before the flowers appear. March. l. about thirty in a dense, sessile rosette, oblanceolate, about 1ft. long, and 3in. across at the widest part, the tip pungent, brown, shortly decurrent, the marginal spines spreading, hooked, deltoid-cuspidate, brown, about 1/8in. long. Mexico (?). AGAVE Beancarnei (Beaucarne's). Synonymous with AGAVE Kerechoved. AGAVE Botterii (Botteri's).* fl. greenish-yellow, about 1in. long, on a dense spike, longer than the leaves; primary bracts lanceolate, with a long point, the lower ones as long as the flowers; scape covered with adpressed lanceolate bracts. l. about fifty in a rosette, oblong-spathulate, about 2ft. long, 6in. broad above the middle, narrowed to 4 1/2in. above the base; pale green, concave in the centre; spine hard, pungent, about 1/2in. long; marginal teeth crowded, 1/8in., upcurved at the tip. Stemless. Mexico, about 1865. AGAVE bracteosa (bracted). fl. in pairs, forming a dense spike; perianth segments about 1/2in. long, the ovary slightly longer; stamens about 2in. long; stem 3ft. high, the flowerless part densely covered with spreading or recurved bracts 5in. to 6in. long. l. ten to fifteen, broadly linear-attenuate, 1 1/2ft. to 1 3/4ft. long, 1 1/2in. broad at base, the margins minutely serrulated. Monterey, Mexico, 1883. (G. C. n. s., xviii., p. 776.) AGAVE bulbifera (bulb-bearing). Synonymous with AGAVE vivipara. AGAVE caespitosa (tufted). Synonymous with AGAVE Sartorii. AGAVE cantula. Synonymous with AGAVE vivipara. AGAVE Celsiana (Celsius').* fl. tinged purplish-brown, 2in, long, in a dense spike, 1ft. or more long, and 6in. to 8in. in diameter when expanded; scape 4ft. long, the lower bract leaves lanceolate, the upper ones subulate. l. twenty to thirty in a rosette, oblong-spathulate, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 5in. broad at the middle, narrowed to 2 1/2in. to 3n. above the base, persistently glaucous, the point hardly at all pungent; spines very unequal in size and shape, green, largest brown and horny at the top. Mexico, 1839. This is a beautiful species, the stem of which scarcely rises off the surface of the ground. AGAVE coccinea (scarlet). fl. unknown. l. twenty to thirty in a dense rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 6in. broad two-thirds of the way up, narrowed to 3in. above the dilated base, where it is 1in. to 1 1/4in. thick, deep heavy green; terminal spine 1 1/2in. or more in length, red; side prickles irregular, deltoid, unequal, nearly straight. 1/6in. to 1/4in.long, red. Mexico, 1859. AGAVE cochlearis (cochleate). fl. yellowish green, above 4in. long, in dense clusters. l.forming a sessile rosette 10ft. broad, oblongspathulate, 5ft. to 6ft. long, above 1ft. broad, 5in. thick at the base, opaque green, with a deeply excavated face; terminal spine very stout, pungent; side prickles curved variously, middle sized, deltoid. Stems 26ft. high. Mexico, previous to 1867. AGAVE Consideranti (Considerant's). Synonymous with AGAVE Victoria Regina. AGAVE Corderoyi (Corderoy's).* fl. unknown. l. forty to fifty in a dense rosette, rigidly erecto-patent, ensiform, 1 1/2ft. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, bright green; terminal spine hard, brown, 1in. long; side prickles moderately close, erecto-patent, dark brown, 1/6in. long. Mexico, 1868. A very distinct and pretty species. AGAVE crenata (crenated). Referred to AGAVE Scolymus. AGAVE cucullata (hooded). Referred to AGAVE Scolymus. AGAVE dasylirioides (Dasylirion-like).* fl. yellow, about 1 1/2in. long; spike as long as the scape, often decurved; lower bracts much longer than the flowers; pedicels obsolete; scape 6ft. long, densely clothed with spreading subulate bract leaves, the lower ones 1ft. long. l. eighty to a hundred in a dense rosette, linear-ensiform, 1 1/2ft. to 3ft. long, about 1in. broad, narrowing gradually from the middle to a short brown pungent point, pale glaucous green, rigidly leathery; edge minutely denticulate. Mexico, 1846. AGAVE dasylirioides dealbata (Whitened). A variety of preceding, but with more glaucous foliage. AGAVE densiflora (close-flowered).* fl. yellowish-red, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, on a dense spike, 2ft. long; pedicels very short; scape, including the spike, 6ft. long, the lower bracts ascending, the upper ones spreading. l. thirty to forty in a stemless rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 2ft. to 3ft. long, and 2 1/2in. to 5in. broad, bright green when mature; terminal spine 1/2in. long, thick, pungent, slightly decurrent; side spines crowded, short, bright chestnut brown. Mexico (previous to) 1857. AGAVE Deserti (Desert's).* fl. yellow, under 2in. long, on a thyrsoid panicle, the branches very short, the lower horizontal, the upper ascending; pedicels short; scape 4ft. to 10ft. high, 1in. to 2in. thick at the base, furnished with distant lanceolate acuminate toothed bracts. l. few, in a rosette, oblanceolate, 6in. to 12in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad above the middle, thick, fleshy, very glaucous; face deeply concave; terminal spine 1in. to 2in. long, slender; prickles crowded, strong, hooked, horny, nearly 1/4in. long. California, 1877. AGAVE Desmetiana (De Smet's). Probably synonymous with AGAVE miradorensis. AGAVE Elemeetiana (Elemeet's).* fl. yellowish-green, 1in. to 1 1/2in. long, in a dense spike 8ft. to 9ft. long, 7in. to 8in. in diameter when expanded; pedicels 1/4in. long; scape, including the spike, 12ft. to 13ft. high, stiffly erect, lower 3ft. to 4ft., barren, with squarrose lanceolate bracts. l. twenty to twenty-five in a rosette, lanceolate-oblong, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 3in. to 6in. wide, slightly glaucous; face flat above the middle terminal spine, not pungent, the margin pale and quite entire. Stemless. A very distinct species. Mexico, 1864. (B. M. 7027). AGAVE Fenzliana (Fenzl's). Synonymous with AGAVE Hookeri. AGAVE ferox (flerce). fl. unknown. l. about twenty in a rosette, oblong-spathulate, 4in. to 8in. broad; face nearly flat, except at the top, slightly glaucous green; terminal spine above 1in. long, hard, pungent; margin slightly wavy between the large dark brown teeth, which are about 1/4in. long, and curved at the top. Mexico, 1861. AGAVE filifera (thread-bearing).* fl. greenish, about2in. long; pedicels very short and stout, in a dense spike 2ft. to 3ft. long; scape 3ft. to 4ft. long, its bract-leaves subulate, the lower ones ascending, the upper squarrose. l. sixty to a hundred in a dense rosette, stiff, straight, ensiform, 6in. to 9in. long, 1in. broad at the middle, gradually narrowing to a grey pungent tip; face flat, the continuous grey edge splitting off copiously into irregular spreading grey wiry threads; outer leaves of the rosette not all recurved, but spreading stiffly. Mexico. AGAVE filifera filamentosa (thready).* A form with larger leaves and scape; including the spike, 10ft. to 12ft. high. A well-known, handsome variety. AGAVE Galeotti (Galeotti's). fl. unknown. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, 2ft. to 3ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 2in. to 6in. broad; face rather flat or convex, green; terminal spine hard, pungent; prickles close, straight, or slightly hooked, purplish-black. Mexico, 1877. AGAVE Ghiesbreghtii (Ghiesbreght's). fl. unknown. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, rigid, lanceolate, 9in. to 12in. long, 2in. to 3in. broad, bright glossy green; terminal spine 1/2in. long, pungent; border narrow, red-brown till a late stage; side prickles numerous, irregular, two to three lines long. Mexico, 1862. Very handsome dwarf species. AGAVE Rohanii and AGAVE Leguayana are mere varieties. AGAVE Henriquesii (Henriques'). fl., perianth segments tinged dark brown, lanceolate, 1in. long; style purplish-brown; panicle spike-like; peduncle, including the inflorescence, 12ft. to 14ft. long. l. in a dense rosette, oblong-lanceolate, bright green, margined with dark brown, 2ft. long, 5in. broad, narrowed to the base and to the pungent apex, armed with spreading prickles. Mexico (?), 1887. (G. C. ser. iii., vol. ii., p. 307.) SYN. Littaea Henriquesii. AGAVE heteracantha (various-spined).* fl. greenish, 1 1/2in. long, on a dense spike 3ft. long; scape 3ft. to 4ft. long. l. fifty to eighty in a rosette, rigid, ensiform, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 2in. to 2 1/2in. broad in the middle, dull green, with numerous darker green lines on the back; terminal point 1in. long; side spines numerous, strongly hooked, lanceolate. Stemless. Mexico. AGAVE Hookeri (Hooker's).* fl. large, yellow, very numerous, in stalked panicled cymes. l. thirty to forty in a sessile rosette, 8ft. or 9ft. in diameter, oblanceolate-spathulate, bright green on the face, rather glaucous on the back, 4ft. to 5ft. long, 5ft. long, 5in. to 9in. broad, 2in. to 3in. thick; terminal spine 2in. long, and decurrent for nearly half a foot; face flattish or slightly concave; side prickles irregular, brown and horny, about 1/4in. long, and curved in different directions. Mexico. SYN. AGAVE Fenzliana. A rare and noble species, very massive. AGAVE horrida (horrid).* fl. unknown. l. thirty to forty in a dense rosette, rigid, lanceolate-spathulate, 8in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, bright green; terminal spine pungent, nearly 1in. long; margin furnished with a continuous broad grey border, with copious prickles 3/8in. to 1/2in. long. AGAVE horrida Gilbeyi (Gilbey's).* l. about thirty, 3in. to 4in. long, 2in. broad, dark green with a pale stripe down the middle, three to four large spines on each side. Mexico, 1873. AGAVE horrida laevior (smoother). l. somewhat narrower, longer, with marginal spines less strongly developed, and of a paler colour. Mexico, 1870. AGAVE horrida macrodonta (long-toothed). l. fifty to sixty, 2 1/2in. broad; spines larger than in the typical form. Mexico, 1876. AGAVE horrida micrantha (small-toothed). Border of leaf narrower, and spines smaller, than in the typical form. AGAVE Jacobiana (Jacob's). Synonymous with AGAVE Salmiana. AGAVE kerchovei (Kerchove's).* fl. unknown. l. thirty to forty in a stemless rosette, stiff, rigid, typically ensiform, 6in. to 12in. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad, narrowing gradually to a pungent spine 1in. long, dull green, with a distinct pale central band, rounded on the back, without any stripes of dark green, the margin with a continuous moderately broad grey border; side prickles irregular, grey, lanceolate, curved, 1/4in. to 1/4in. long. SYN. AGAVE Beaucarnei. There are several varieties of AGAVE Kerchovei, of which the following are the most important:- AGAVE Kerchoveidiplacantha (double-spined).* With very few distant, small teeth, often collected or united in pairs. AGAVE Kerchovei inermis (unarmed). Dwarf, with spines entirely obsolete. AGAVE Kerchovei macrodonta (long-toothed). l. 1 1/2ft. long, without any distinct central band, and with copious irregular grey lanceolate prickles, about 1/3in. long. AGAVE Kerchovei pectinata (comb-like). l. 1ft. long, 2 1/2in. broad, without any central band. AGAVE lophantha (crest-flowered).* fl. greenish, arranged in a dense spike 4ft. to 5ft. long; scape 7ft. to 8ft. long, its leaves brown, the lower ones 6in. long. l. thirty to forty in a rosette, rigid, ensiform, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1 1/2in. broad at the middle, rather concave down the face, rounded on the back, not marked with any lines, dull green; terminal spine 1in. long; margins bordered by a very narrow continuous grey hoary line, furnished with distant linear falcate teeth, about 1 1/2in. long, sessile. Mexico. AGAVE lophantha coerulescens (bluish).* l. with a decided glaucous bloom. AGAVE lophantha longifolia (long-leaved). A mere variety of above species. AGAVE macracantha (long-spined).* fl. greenish, 2in. long, ten to twelve in a loose raceme 6in. long, all solitary on ascending pedicels 1/4in. to 1/2in. long; scape 2ft. to 3ft. long; bracts erect. l. thirty to fifty in a stiff rosette 1ft. to 2ft. broad, oblanceolate, 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, very stiff and rigid, very glaucous; face rather thicker in the lower half; terminal spine nearly black, very pungent, 1/2in. long; side prickles purplish-black, sub-distant, 1/8in. long, with a large point straight or slightly hooked. With a short stem, or stemless. Mexico, 1830. It has many varieties, among which are AGAVE Bessereriana and AGAVE flavescens. AGAVE Maximiliana (Maximilian's).* fl. unknown. l. about twenty in a sessile rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 1 3/4in. to 3in. broad; face slightly glaucous green; terminal spine pungent, brown, 1in. broad; side prickles bright chestnut brown, larger and more irregular than in AGAVE Americana, more hooked, and furnished with longer and sharper points, reaching 1/4in. long. Mexico. A very distinct species. AGAVE micracantha (small-spined). fl. yellowish, 1 1/2in. long, in a dense spike 3ft. to 4ft. long, 6in. to 7in. broad when expanded. l. twenty to thirty in a shortly stalked rosette, oblanceolate oblong, 15in. to 18in. long, 3in. to 5in. broad above the middle, narrowed to 2in. to 3in. above the base, bright green; face flattish above the centre; terminal spine red brown, moderately firm; the copious close reddish-brown horny teeth about 1 1/2in. long, the upper ones ascending, the lower deflexed. Mexico, 1860. AGAVE miradorensis (Mirador).* fl. unknown. l. about thirty in a sessile rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 2in. to 2 1/2in. broad above the middle, thin but firm in texture, very glaucous, with a firm red-brown terminal spine 1in. long; side prickles very minute, crowded, colourless, five or six to an inch in the centre of the leaf. Mexico, 1869. SYN. (probably) AGAVE Desmetiana. AGAVE Morrisii (Morris'). fl., perianth bright yellow, 2in. to 2 1/2in. long; stamens nearly twice as long as the segments; panicle thyrsoid, the main branches 1 1/2ft. long; peduncle, including the inflorescence, 15ft. to 20ft. long. l. twenty or more in a dense rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, 6ft. to 7ft. long, nearly 1ft. broad, gradually narrowed to the pungent-spiny apex, dull green, the margins prickly. Jamaica, 1887. (G. C. ser. iii., vol. i., p. 549.) AGAVE Noackii (Noack's). A synonym of AGAVE Sartorii. AGAVE ornata (adorned). A synonym of A americana picta. AGAVE Ortgiesiana (Ortgies'). A dwarf form of AGAVE schidigera with a pale central band to the leaf. Mexico, 1861. A widely-distributed and desirable species. AGAVE pendula (pendulous). Synonymous with AGAVE Sartorii. AGAVE polyacantha (many-spined).* fl. greenish-yellow, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long; flowering-stem 8ft. to 12ft. high, including the dense spike, which is 3ft. to 4ft. long. l. about thirty in a sessile rosette, oblanceolate-spathulate, rigid, 1ft. to 2ft. long, 2 1/2in. to 5in. broad above the middle, bright green, slightly glaucous when young; terminal spine dark brown, pungent, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; side prickles crowded, deltoid, dark chestnut brown, irregular, 1 1/2in. or 1/8in. long, all sub-patent. Mexico, 1800. SYNS. A.uncinata, AGAVE xalapensis. AGAVE Poselgerii (Poselger's). fl. purplish, rather more than 1in. long; scape, including the spike, 6ft. to 10ft. l. twenty to thirty in a dense rosette, rigid, ensiform, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad at the middle, dull green, with a broad pale band down to the face, rounded and marked with numerous distinct green lines down the back; margin furnished with a continuous straight, moderately broad edge; terminal spine 1in. long, brown, pungent; side prickles moderately close, lanceolate, hooked, 1/6in. long Trunk, 4in to 6in. long. Texas. AGAVE potatorum (drinkers'). fl. greenish yellow, 3in. long; scape 12ft. high, including the thyrsoid panicle, which is 4ft. to 5ft. long. l. about twenty in a dense sessile rosette, 4ft. to 5ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 2ft. to 2 1/2ft. long, 7in. to 9in. broad above the middle, a dull glaucous green; face slightly concave; terminal spines hard, pungent, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long; side prickles deltoidcuspidate, about 1/4in. long, with the edge slightly wavy between them. Mexico, 1830. AGAVE pruinosa (frosty).* fl. unknown. l. ten to twenty in a dense rosette, spreading, oblanceolate-oblong, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to 5in. broad above the middle, soft and fleshy in texture, pale glaucous green; terminal spine very weak; edge furnished with minute irregular spreading deltoid serrations, not more than quarter line long. Mexico, 1863. A very distinct species. AGAVE Roezliana (Roezl's). fl. unknown. l. twenty to thirty in a sessile rosette, stiff, ensiform, 6in. to 7in, long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad at the middle, bright glossy green, with a distinct pale band down the centre, broadly rounded on the back, without any darker green lines, margined with a continuous moderately broad border, red brown at first, fading into grey when old; terminal spines bright reddish brown, pungent, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long; side prickles copious, spreading, lanceolate, curved, 1/4in. long. Mexico, 1869. AGAVE Salmiana (Prince Salm-Dyck's).* fl. greenish yellow, 4in. long; panicle thyrsoid, 6ft. to 8ft. long, with erecto-patent branches and flowers in dense clusters; scape, exclusive of the panicle, 20ft. high. l. twelve to thirty in a dense rosette, which is often 5ft. to 6ft. broad, oblanceolate-spathulate, 2ft. to 4ft. long, 4in. to 6in. broad above the middle, a dull, slightly glaucous green; face more or less concave; terminal spine 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, hard and pungent; side prickles 1/4in. long, chestnut brown, hooked up or down. Mexico, 1860. SYNS. AGAVE atrovirens, AGAVE Jacobiana, AGAVE tehuacensis. AGAVE Salmiana latissima (very broad). l. 2ft. to 3ft. long, by 8in. to 9in. broad above the middle. AGAVE Sartorii (Sartor's). fl. greenish, 1 1/2in long; pedicels very short, in a dense spike about 3ft. long, 5in. to 6in. broad when expanded; scape 3ft. to 4ft. long, the green linear ascending bracts 2in. to 4in. long. l. thirty to forty spaced out in a loose rosette, ensiform, 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. long, 3in. broad at the middle, bright green, with a pale band down the middle; face flat; terminal spine small, not pungent; side prickles minute, crowded, spreading, tipped with red-brown. Caudex 1ft. to 2ft. long, sometimes forked. SYNS. AGAVE caespitosa, AGAVE Noackii, AGAVE pendula. AGAVE schidigera (spine-bearing).* fl. almost identical with AGAVE filifera. l. fifty to eighty in a dense sessile rosette, stiff, ensiform, 12in. to 15in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad at the middle, similar in colour and texture to those of AGAVE filifera, but the grey marginal border, and splitting off into flat shavings, not mere threads. AGAVE Schnittspahni (Schnittspahn's). Referred to AGAVE Scolymus. AGAVE Scolymus (Scolymus). fl. greenish yellow, 2 1/2in. to 3in. long; branches few, with the flowers at the end in very dense clusters; scape 14ft. to 16ft. high, including the thyrsoid panicle, which is 4ft. long and 2ft. broad, furnished with green bracts. l. twenty to thirty in a dense rosette 1 1/2ft. to 3ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 9in. to 18in. long, 3in. to 6in. broad above the middle, very glaucous, abruptly terminating in a pungent spine, 1in. or more long; side prickles chestnut brown, about 1/4in. long; edge wavy between them; those on the lower half smaller and directed downwards. Mexico, 1830. Other so-called species referred to this are AGAVE amoena, AGAVE crenata, AGAVE cucullata, AGAVE Schnittspahni, and AGAVE Verschaffeltii. AGAVE Scolymus Saundersii (Saunders') fl. about 1ft. long; teeth very large. AGAVE Seemanni (Seemann's).* fl. unknown. l. twenty in a sessile rosette, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 6in. to 9in. long, 3in. to 3 1/2in. broad at the middle, narrowed to 2in. above the dilated base, slightly glaucous; face flat, except close to the top; terminal spine pungent, dark brown, 1/2in long; side prickles large, moderately close, slightly curved upwards or downwards. Guatemala, 1868. There are two or three garden forms of this species. AGAVE Shawii (Shaw's).* fl. greenish yellow, 3in. to 3 1/2in. long; panicle thyrsoid, about 2ft. long and broad; clusters dense, composed of thirty to forty flowers, surrounded by large foliaceous fleshy bracts. l. fifty to sixty, or more, forming a dense globose sessile rosette 2ft. in diameter, oblong-spathulate, 8in. to 10in. long, 3 1/2in. to 4 1/2in. broad at the middle, deep green; terminal spine brown, 1in. long, the upper third or quarter entire, the rest furnished with crowded upcurved lanceolate prickles, 1/4in. to 1/2in. long. California, 1877. This species is very rare at present, but is a most distinct and handsome plant. AGAVE sobolifera (soboliferous). fl. greenish yellow, 2in. to 2 1/2in. long, in a deltoid panicle, of which the lower panicles are 9in. to 12in. long, and bear a hundred flowers each; pedicels 1/4in. to 1in. long; scape 8ft. to 10ft. high, 2 1/2in. thick at the base. l. twenty to forty in a shortly caulescent rosette, oblanceolate-oblong-spathulate, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 3in. to 5in. broad at the middle, very bright green; face deeply channelled, the border much raised and tip often recurved; terminal spine sub-pungent, chestnut brown, 1/2in. long; side prickles distant, brown, hooked, 1 1/2in. to 1/8in. long. West Indies, 1678. AGAVE striata (striated-leaved).* fl. brownish green outside, yellow inside, 1in. to 1 1/2in. long; pedicels very short; spike dense, 2ft. to 3ft. long; bracts linear, shorter than the flowers; scape 6ft. to 8ft. high, including the spike, furnished with numerous spreading subulate bracts, which are 2in. to 3in. long. l. 150 to 200 in a dense rosette, linear-ensiform, 2ft. to 2 1/2ft. Long, 1/4in. to 3/8in. broad above the deltoid dilated base, where they are 1/4in. thick and 1in. broad, narrowed gradually from the top of the base to the point, rigid in texture, glaucous green; face rather keeled, and the back more so; point brown, pungent, 1/2in. long; edges minutely serrulate. Mexico, 1856. AGAVE striata echinoides (Echinus-like). l. about 6in. long, 1/3in. broad at the middle; face flat. Mexico, 1869. Dwarfer and stiffer in habit than the variety stricta. AGAVE striata recurva (recurved-leaved).l. longer than in the type, 3ft. to 4ft., more or less falcate, narrower, and decidedly convex on both surfaces. AGAVE striata stricta (upright). l. about 1ft. long, very stiff, 1/4in. broad at the middle, both faces convex. A, Richardsii comes near to this variety. AGAVE tehuacensis (Tehuan). Synonymous with AGAVE Salmiana. AGAVE uncinata (hooked). Synonymous with AGAVE polyacantha. AGAVE univittata (one-striped).* fl. green, 1 1/2in. long (or less); spike 10ft. to 12ft. long, 6in. to 7in. thick; pedicels 1/4in. long; scape 4ft. long, exclusive of the spike, its bracts dense and squarrose. l. fifty to eighty in a stemless rosette, rigid, ensiform, 2ft. to 2 1/2ft. long, 2in. to 3in. broad at the middle, narrowed slightly down-wards, and very gradually upwards, dull green, with a broad pale band down the face, faintly lineate on the back; margin bordered by a narrow, continuous grey horny line, furnished with hooked lanceolate prickles, 1/8in. long, from 1/2in. to 1in. apart; terminal spine brown, pungent, 1in. long. Mexico, 1830. AGAVE utahensis (Utahan).* fl. yellowish, about 1in. long; peduncles ultimately 1/4in. long; scapes, 5ft. to 7ft. high, including the 1ft. to 2ft. spike. l. stemless, ensiform, 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to nearly 2in. broad, thick, glaucous; terminal spine channelled, pungent, about 1in. long; marginal prickles, 1/8in. to 1/6in. long, white, with a darker base. Southern Utah, 1881. This is a true alpine species, perfectly hardy, and of very easy culture. AGAVE Vanderdonckii (Vanderdonck's). Synonymous with a xylacantha. AGAVE variegata (variegated).* fl. greenish, about 1 1/2in. long; spike about 1ft. long, fifteen to twenty flowered; bracts minute, deltoid; scape 2ft. long, exclusive of the spike, bearing about twelve lanceolate bract leaves. l. fifteen to eighteen in a sessile rosette, spreading, ligulate-lanceolate, finally 12in. to 15in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad below the middle, narrowed slightly downwards, and gradually to the point, deeply chanelled down the face, and copiously spotted with brown on a green ground; edge hard and tough, very obscurely serrulate. Texas, 1865. This very desirable variegated species is extremely rare in cultivation. AGAVE Verschaffeltii (Verschaffelt's). Referred to AGAVE Scolymus. AGAVE Victoriae Regina (Queen Victoria).* l. forty to fifty in a sessile rosette, stiff rigid, lanceolate, 6in. long, 1 1/2in. to nearly 2in. broad above the dilated base, narrowed gradually to a rather obtuse point, dead green, margined with a continuous white border, like that of AGAVE filifera, not splitting up into threads, but leaving distinct white vertical bands where it is pressed against the neighbouring leaves; terminal spine 1/2in. long, black, pungent, with usually one or two small spines on each side of it. Mexico, 1875. This is also much too rare a plant. SYN. AGAVE Consideranti. AGAVE Villarum (Villa Brothers'). l. quite spineless, as in AGAVE filifera, but much longer, more spreading, and less dense. 1886. An Italian hybrid between AGAVE filifera and AGAVE xylonacantha, the former being the seed-bearer. AGAVE Virginica (Virginian).* fl. greenish yellow, 1in. to 1 1/4in. long; spike very loose, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. long; lower flowers with very short pedicels and lanceolate bracts, about 1/4in. long; scape 2ft. to 3ft. high, exclusive of the spike, with only a few distant small bract leaves. l. ten to fifteen in a sessile rosette, spreading, lanceolate, 6in. to 12in. long, 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad below the middle, narrowed gradually to the point and a little downwards; face channelled, undulated, pale green, or mottled with brown spots, the narrow hard and tough margin very obscurely serrulate. North America, 1765. AGAVE conduplicata is said to be allied to this species. AGAVE vivipara (viviparous).* fl. greenish yellow, 1 1/2in. to 2in. long, often changed into bulbillae, which bear lanceolate leaves 6in. long before they fall and take root; inflorescence reaching a height of 20ft. or more, the deltoid panicle about a quarter of the length of the scape; corymbs on stout peduncles, pedicels short. l. twenty to fifty in a dense, shortly caulescent rosette, ensiform, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1 1/2in. to 2in. broad at the middle, whence it gradually narrows to the point, dull green when mature, thin but firm in texture, flat or channelled down the face; terminal spine firm, brown, 1/2in. long; side teeth brown, hooked, 1/12in. or less long. A very widely spread species throughout tropics of the Old World, 1731. SYNS. AGAVE cantula, AGAVE bulbifera. AGAVE Warelliana (Warell's).* l. about thirty in a rosette, oblong. spathulate, 9in. to. 10in. long, 3in. broad above the middle, narrowed to 2in, above the dilated base; face nearly flat, green scarcely at all glaucous, tipped with a strong brown channelled spine 1in. long; border margined with close, very short teeth, dark purple when mature. Mexico. A rare but very handsome species. AGAVE Wiesenbergensis (Wiesenberg). fl. erect, tubular, six-parted, 1 1/4in. long, disposed in clusters along the side of a long flower-stalk. l. 8in. long, 2 1/4in. broad, upwards of 1/2in. thick, oblong-lanceolate, mucronate, with remote, spiny teeth on the margins. 1885. AGAVE Wislizeni (Wislizenius's). fl. 2 1/2in. long; panicle thyrsoid, its branches 3in. to 6in. long; pedicels very short; scape 12ft. high. l. about thirty in a dense, rigid, sessile rosette, which is under 2ft. broad, oblong-spathulate, 3in. to 3 1/2in. broad above the middle, very glaucous, concave in the upper part; terminal spine hard, pungent, dark brown, 1in. long, and decurrent down the border a little; side prickles 1/8in. long, dark purple, moderately close, those below the middle of the leaf smaller and curved downward. Mexico, 1847. AGAVE xalapensis. Synonymous with AGAVE polyacantha. AGAVE xylonacantha (woody-spined).* fl. green, 1 1/2in. long; spike dense, rather shorter than the scape, its bracts linear-subulate; scape 5ft. to 6ft. long, its bracts subulate, all ascending, the lowe ones 6in. to 8in. long. l. not more than twenty in a stemless rosette, ensiform, diverging irregularly and often curving, 1 1/2ft. to 3ft. long, 2in. to 3in. (rarely 4in.) broad at the middle, narrowed gradually upwards, a slightly glaucous dead green, marked with a few darker green lines on the back, furnished with a broad continuous horny border and a few very large irregular hooked teeth, often united or collected in pairs, 1/2in. to 3/4in. long, and 3/8in. to 1/2in. broad; terminal spine brown, pungent, 1in. long. Mexico. A long-known, widely-spread, and distinct species. SYNS. AGAVE amurensis and AGAVE Vanderdonckii. AGAVE xylonacantha hybrida is a striking dwarf variety with vittate leaves, and smaller, more crowded deltoid-cuspidate prickles than in the type. It is also commonly known as AGAVE x. vittata and AGAVE perbella. AGAVE yuccaefolia (Yucca-leaved).* fl. greenish yellow, 1 1/4in. to 1 1/2in. long, in a dense spike 6in. to 15in. long, about 14in. in diameter, sessile, solitary, or in pairs; scape 12ft. to 20ft. high. l. twenty to forty in a dense, shortly-stemmed rosette, linear, much recurved, 1 1/2ft. to 2 1/2ft. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad at the middle; face deeply channelled, dull, rather glaucous green, with a pale band down the centre, the tip not at all pungent, the back broadly rounded, edge entire, or obscurely serrulate. Mexico, 1816. A most distinct species.