Agave × arizonica

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Agave × arizonica is a rare plant, endemic to Arizona.[1] It is a hybrid between two species of Agave in the family Asparagaceae, A. chrysantha and A. toumeyana var. bella.[2] It was discovered in the 1960s near a summit of the New River Mountains, near the Maricopa-Yavapai county line north of Phoenix, Arizona.[3][4][5]

Agave × arizonica
Agave arizonica group of rosettes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Species:
A. × arizonica
Binomial name
Agave × arizonica

Agave × arizonica is a small plant about 30 cm high and 40 cm broad. Although similar to Agave utahensis, it has distinct differences in suckering more sparingly, in not forming a large dense clump, having leaves with a distinct dark brown margin and also more cylindrical flowers. Its flowers are yellow, with 10-20 per cluster, each up to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long.[6][7]

Flowers on the 11 foot tall flowering shaft of Agave x arizonica, flowers of a palo brea (Parkinsonia praecox) tree in background

References

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  1. ^ Hodgson, W. C. 1999. Vascular plants of Arizona: Agavaceae. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 32: 1–21.
  2. ^ "Agave × arizonica", World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2012-12-11
  3. ^ Tropicos
  4. ^ Gentry, Howard Scott. & Weber, John Henry. Cactus and Succulent Journal 42: 223, f. 1–2. 1970.
  5. ^ Agaves of Continental North America, Howard Scott Gentry, Tucson, University of Arizona Press, 1982 ISBN 0-8165-0775-9
  6. ^ Flora of North America v 26.
  7. ^ Gentry, H. S. 1982. Agaves of Continental North America. Tucson.