1222.000 Furcraea Vent.

Massive monocarpic succulent scapose plants; trunk usually absent. Leaves up to 50 cm wide; up to 3 m long; lanceolate; very fibrous; toothed with a firm blunt point at the apex. Inflorescence paniculate; 2-5 clusters to 13 m tall; drooping, frequently producing bulbils. Flowers with tepals spreading; greenish-white, ovate or oblong; ovary inferior. Fruit a globose or cylindric capsule, infrequently produced. Seeds many, black, flat.

Derivation of name: after A. T. Fourcroy, 1755-1809, a French botanist.

Worldwide: c. 20 species in tropical America.

Zambia: 1 taxon.