Agave attenuata


Agave attenuata, commonly called the foxtail or lion's tail 'agave or the swan's neck agave, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae. Sometimes called the soft-leaf or soft-leaved agave', the aforementioned animal-related names are a nod to the appearance of the plant's inflorescence, which—after years, generally—rises slightly before gravity brings it back down, giving the bloom a curved, "swan"-like or "foxtail" look. The species' specific manner of flowering is unique in the genus Agave as most other species produce a towering, vertical display, reminiscent of a miniature tree.
In addition to its inflorescence, when compared with other Agave species, A. attenuata is further unique with its soft, spineless leaves and the fact that it does not rapidly asexually produce dozens of "runners" or "pups" from the rhizome of the mother plant. These factors have helped A. attenuata earn a positive reputation amongst gardeners as easy-to-manage; the species has become extremely popular as an ornamental plant in appropriate climates and zones, especially the American Southwest, Latin America and the Mediterranean.
Several unique forms and cultivars have been created and made available on the plant market, such as the white-variegated A. attenuata 'Variegata' and 'Ray of Light', or the teal-hued 'Boutin Blue'. The similarly teal-leaved 'Blue Flame' was achieved with the cross of Agave attenuata x Agave shawii.

Description

Although particularly young or smaller plants can appear acaulescent, stems often mature to between in length, with older, desiccated leaves falling off and leaving the woody stems visible. The leaves are ovate-acuminate, long and wide, pale in color, ranging from a light gray to a light yellowish-green. There are neither teeth, nor terminal spines, although the leaves taper to soft points that fray with age. The numerous, broad, succulent, tapering leaves are slightly less rigid than the leaves of most Agave species; they are a bright glaucous gray to light yellowish-green and stingless.
The inflorescence is a dense raceme high, with greenish-yellow flowers, developing after many years. As with other Agave species, the species is monocarpic, meaning that, rather than sending flowers out from the side of its stem and continuing living, the entire rosette morphs into the giant inflorescence. After many months, this blossom subsequently dies following pollination and seed development, although numerous plantlets consequently sprout, both from the base of the plant and from the flower raceme. In nature, when the inflorescence finally dries and falls to the ground, the young plants growing from it will inevitably root into the ground, thus forming a brand-new colony.
It has two subspecies:
  • A. attenuata ssp. attenuata: Native to Central and Southwest Mexico and naturalized in Madeira and Libya.
  • A. attenuata ssp. dentata B.Ullrich: Native to Northwest and Southwest Mexico.

    Etymology

The Latin specific epithet attenuata means "with a narrow point".

Range

Specimens were sent to Kew Gardens by the explorer Galeotti in 1834 from an unspecified location in central Mexico. A more recent study has reported it from Jalisco, on the west coast and east of Mexico State, in small colonies at elevations between, but there have been few sightings, suggesting this species is rare in the wild. IUCN reports the species from the states of Colima, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit and Mexico State, at altitudes between on volcanic rock cliffs within pine forests and transitional zones of tropical dry and temperate forests types in mountains. It is reportedly naturalized in Libya and Madeira and is widely spread through the Mediterranean and the rest of Macaronesia.

Cultivation

In cultivation, Agave attenuata is said to prefer relatively moist loamy soil, although it can cope with poor soil and dry conditions. It should be protected from direct sunlight in summer and from long periods of frost. It is hardy down to USDA Zone 9b.