Agave parviflora

Agave parviflora is a species of succulent perennial flowering plant in the asparagus family, known by the common names Santa Cruz striped agave, smallflower century plant, and small-flower agave. It is native to Arizona in the United States and Sonora in Mexico.[1]

Agave parviflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Species:
A. parviflora
Binomial name
Agave parviflora

The specific epithet parviflora means "small-flowered".[2]

This agave produces a small rosette up to 25 cm (10 in) tall by 20 cm (8 in) wide. The succulent leaves are up to 20 cm (8 in) long and are a waxy dark green with white markings. The leaf margins have peeling fibers. The plant produces an inflorescence 1–2 m (3–7 ft)tall with cream or pale yellow flowers in summer.[3] The flowers are pollinated by bees such as bumblebees.[1]

This species is the smallest agave in Arizona and is sought by collectors. For this reason the species has declined in its native habitat. There are only about two dozen natural populations in Arizona. Other threats to the species include road construction and mining.[1]

The plant is valued in cultivation and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5]

Subspecies of the plant include ssp. parviflora[6] and ssp. densiflora.[7]

References
  1. Agave parviflora. Archived October 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Center for Plant Conservation.
  2. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  3. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  4. "RHS Plant Selector - Agave parviflora". Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  5. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. November 2018. p. 3. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  6. Agave parviflora. Flora of North America.
  7. Starr, G. and T. R. Van Devender. (2011). Agave parviflora subspecies densiflora. A newly found treasure from the Sierra Madre in Eastern Sonora, Mexico. Cact Succ J (US) 83(5) 224-31.
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