Furcraea niquivilensis is a plant species native to Chiapas, Mexico.[1][2]
| Furcraea niquivilensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
| Genus: | Furcraea |
| Species: | F. niquivilensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Furcraea niquivilensis Matuda ex García-Mend.
| |
Furcraea niquivilensisis a monocarpic shrub with a trunk up to 3 m tall, 40 cm in diameter. It produces a rosette of up to 150 leaves. Each leaf is lanceolate to sword-shaped, up to 210 cm long, 14 cm across, armed with sharp curved prickles up to 8 mm long along the margins. Flowering stalks can reach a height of 9 m, bearing a large panicle of greenish-white flowers.[1][3][4]
Uses
editThe people who live in the area where the species grows plant it to control erosion. They also use the fibers in making ropes and baskets.[1] Other members of the same genus, called fique, are used in South America in similar fashion.
References
edit- ^ a b c García-Mendoza, Abisaí Josué. 1999. Una especie nueva de Furcraea (Agavaceae) de Chiapas, México. Novon 9:42-45.
- ^ SEINet, Southwest Environmental Information Network
- ^ photo of isotype of Furcraea niquivilensis at Missouri Botanical Garden
- ^ photo of paratype of Furcraea niquivilensisat Missouri Botanical Garden