Biology:Agave neglecta

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Agave neglecta
Agave neglecta - Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - Sarasota, Florida - DSC01349.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Species:
A. neglecta
Binomial name
Agave neglecta

Agave neglecta, known as wild century plant, is endemic to central Florida.[1] It is found in sandy soils, especially near the coasts.[2]

It has been rarely seen in the wild, although it has been documented via several photographs and sterile specimens. Coincidentally, the latter portion of its scientific name means "neglected" or "overlooked".[3] It may represent a cultivar of Agave sisalana or Agave kewensis.[2] Some authorities express doubt regarding the species' nativity, stating that the species may have been introduced from Mexico during pre-Columbian years.[2] The species is also known as Small agave in honor of its discoverer; he was the first to describe the species,[4][3] although it was originally noted from the Cape Canaveral area by William Bartram in 1766. In Florida, the species has been collected in Hillsborough, Saint Lucie, and Lee counties.[1]

Description

Agave neglecta is a succulent, suckering species with ascending leaves.[2] It is a short-stemmed member of Agavaceae. The species lacks rhizomes. The arching or reflexed leaf blades are green.[2] It is presumed to flower in early summer.[2]

Ecology

The species is a subject of conservation concerns.[2] Development threatens remaining habitat, in addition to hurricanes[2] such as the destructive 2004 and 2005 Atlantic hurricane seasons. The tracks of Charley, Frances, and Jeanne overlapped the species' habitat in central Florida.Template:Easy Hurdat

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Wunderlin, Richard; Hansen, Bruce. "Agave neglecta Small". Institute for Systematic Botany. http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=1189. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Flora of North America. "Agave neglecta (Small agave)". http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101312. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Austin, Daniel F. (2004). Florida Ethnobotany. CRC Press. https://books.google.com/books?id=eS7lX_rC3GEC&pg=RA6-PA68&lpg=RA6-PA68&dq=agave+neglecta&source=web&ots=hT0sZUKbcR&sig=zTmidekO6zsjdYC0wWbvnovAUWM. Retrieved 2007-12-28. 
  4. Small, John Kunkel. Flora of the Southeastern United States 289. 1903.

Wikidata ☰ Q4691606 entry