1219.000 Agave L.

Perennial or monocarpic herbs; stems very short or indistinct. Leaves in a basal rosette; lamina large, stout, fleshy or somewhat woody, containing many fibres; margins spiny, rarely entire, apex tipped with a spine. Inflorescence a terminal spike or panicle, usually very large. Flowers with a short perianth tube; lobes 6, narrow, subequal. Ovary inferior. Fruit a capsule, oblong, trivalved. Seeds numerous, black, thin and flattened.

Derivation of name: From a Greek word meaning admirable.

Worldwide: At least 100 species in Southern USA to South America

Zambia: 1 cultivated taxon.