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Agave colorata (134)
Name
Agave colorata
Origin
Central Mexico
Nomenclature
The Agaves obtained their name from the Greek word ‘agavos’ meaning illustrious, an apt description for some magnificent and noble plants. There is a Greek mythological character by the same name.
Discussion
There are several hundreds species of Agave, and less than ten are true miniatures, like this species. Agaves have been popular in many Mediterranean gardens in Europe since they were brought back from the Americas by the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 17th century, and before that they were cultivated for centuries by the native American population for fibers, food and drinks. Agaves are succulent rosettes, often clumping, occasionally on short trunks. Each rosette blooms after many years (generally at least 8). The blooming rosette uses all its energy to produce the giant towering bloom, and seeds. When it has finished blooming, in almost all the species, the rosette dies. In this respect, agaves differ from the yuccas, which can flower every year.
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