Agavaceae
In the American continent, the monocotyledons have diverged into a number of important families of succulent plants, including the Agavaceae which form distinctive rosettes and flower spikes. The Agavaceae family includes Agave, Beschorneria, Furcraea, Hesperaloe, Manfreda, Polianthes, Prochnyanthes, and Yucca.
The genera Beaucarnea, Calibanus, Dasylirion and Nolina were formerly included in the Agavaceae but are now generally regarded as members of the Nolinaceae. The Old World Dracenaceae were also once grouped with the Agave family but are now in a family of their own.
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 Mayahuel Aztec Goddess of Maguey = Agave, fertility, alcohol & pulque.
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Beschorneria - Kunth (1850)
There are 7 species of Beschorneria, growing in high mountains and forests of Mexico and Guatemala. All species consist of polycarpic stemless rosettes of large, fleshy lanceolate leaves, mostly without marginal teeth or terminal spine, spreading freely via rhizomes. The inflorescence carries groups of pendulous tubular flowers under brightly coloured bracts. Members of this genus will only tolerate moderate cold and should be protected from severe frost.
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above: Beschorneria yuccoides from high mountainous regions of central and eastern Mexico, growing outside in a sunny sheltered corner at the RHS Wisley gardens, UK. This species is the most widely cultivated Beschorneria. The rosettes need protection from severe frost and are best suited to a Mediterranean climate. The 2-3 ft long leaves have rough but not sharp serrated margins and lack terminal spines so are suitable as architectural plants near paths. The decorative 6ft inflorescence carries numerous small tubular flowers. Polycarpic rosettes offset freely from their base after flowering. |