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Agave angustifolia 'Marginata'
| Family Name: | Asparagaceae |
| Common Name: | Variegated Caribbean Agave, Narrow Century Plant |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Succulent Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 0.9 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.5 m to 1.2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical Costa Rica, Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small to medium-sized, clump-forming agave that grows up to 0.9 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Smooth, stiff leaves are linear with a sharply pointed apex ending in a spine. They can grow up to 0.6 m long or more depending on their growing conditions. Fleshy leaves are light green with cream-coloured margins. |
| Flowers | White to greenish yellow flowers are arranged in a branched cluster known as a terminal panicle. The inflorescence stalk can be 2.5 m tall. Plants flower only once starting from 10 years of age or more. |
| Cultivation | This species is drought tolerant when grown in the ground. However, it is not as drought tolerant as other agave species and cultivars. Allow the soil to dry before re-watering. Although it can be grown indoors, it requires a very sunny spot. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, 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, Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Propagation Method | Sucker, Aerial Plantlet |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| 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 (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Spiny |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flowering Habit | Monocarpic |
| Flower Colour(s) Remarks | Greenish Yellow |
| Typical Flowering Age | 10 years |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 309 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1605 |
| 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. |
