False-sisal
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Agave decipiens
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Asparagaceae
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Landscape Uses:
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Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat resptorations. Also as an accent shrub in rock gardens and spiny barrier plantings along the coast. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
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A somewhat rare element of coastal hammocks and thickets, especially along the edges. |
Availability: |
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Rarely grown by native plant nurseries. |
Description: |
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Medium shrub with prickly leaves in a basal rosette on a short trunk. |
Height: |
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Typically 4-8 feet in height; to 20 feet when in flower in South Florida. Usually taller than broad, but large plants may fall over and begin ascending again. |
Growth Rate: |
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Slow. |
Range: |
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Endemic to southern peninsular Florida from the Monroe County Keys north along the coasts to Martin and Manatee counties. |
Habitats: |
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Coastal hammocks and thickets. |
Soils: |
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Moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, with humusy top layer. |
Nutritional Requirements: |
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Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive. |
Salt Water Tolerance: |
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Moderate; tolerates brackish water or occasional inundation by salt water. |
Salt Wind Tolerance: |
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Secondary line; tolerates significant salt wind without injury, but usually is somewhat protected. |
Drought Tolerance: |
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High; does not require any supplemental water once established. |
Light Requirements: |
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Full sun to light shade. |
Flower Color: |
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Greenish-yellow. |
Flower Characteristics: |
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Semi-showy inflorescence; the flowers are fetid. |
Flowering Season: |
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Fall-winter. |
Fruit: |
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Inconspicuous capsule. |
Wildlife and Ecology: |
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Possible larval host for cofaqui giant-skipper (Megathymus cofaqui) and Yucca giant-skipper (Megathymus yuccae). |
Horticultural Notes: |
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Can be grown from seeds or basal offshoots. |
Comments: |
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Similar to the invasive sisal hemp (Agave sisalana), but with a short trunk. |
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Karolina Weclawska cultivated plant in South Florida
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Karolina Weclawska cultivated plants in South Florida
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Karolina Weclawska cultivated plant in South Florida
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