Agave in bloom-Santa Roasa Island-Pensacola beach-September 2023

 This was a beautiful Agave specimen in bloom spike. I was on an observational e-bike ride early in the morning and this is one of the personal homes I came upon.  This early stage Agave flower spike was about 9 feet tall. 

 

Plants with this type of bloom will create a long live bloom. Usually the blooms will be heavy with nectar. Many indiginious and migrating birds enjoy. MOths and butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy the sweet nectar from Agave.

Xerophtic plant. I am leaning to these more and more for use in landscape. They offer a wide variety of foliage colors and powerful blooms.

What is the meaning of Xerophytic?

: a plant adapted for life and growth with a limited water supply. xerophytic. ˌzir-ə-ˈfi-tik.

 

I will do more about xerophytes soon.

 

A xerophyte is a species of plant that has adaptations to survive in an environment with little liquid water. Examples are typically desert regions like the Sahara, and places in the Alps or the Arctic. Popular examples of xerophytes are cacti, pineapple and some Gymnosperm plants

Agave ovatifolia

 Whale's Tongue ... Agave ovatifolia leaves will grow to 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide in 5 to 8 years, especially with summer water. 

>>>>>Click here for video of Agave ovatifolia<<<<<

 

 

 

 

These plants end their life after 10 to 20 years with a spectacular show by producing a flower stalk 10 to 15 feet tall that draws a variety of bees.

 

 Common Name: whale's tongue agave 

Type: Herbaceous perennial

 Family: Asparagaceae 

Native Range: Mexico

 Zone: 7 to 11 

Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

 Spread: 3.00 to 4.00 feet 

Bloom Time: June to August

 Bloom Description: Yellow-green 

Sun: Full sun 

Water: Dry

 Maintenance: Low

 Flower: Showy

Leaf: Colorful 

Attracts: Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies

 Other: Thorns 

Tolerate: Drought, Dry Soil, Shallow-Rocky Soil 

 Culture Estimated to be hardy to USDA Zones 7-11. 

Best growth occurs in a sandy/gritty, dry to dry-medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Sharp soil drainage is important. 

 The genus name Agave comes from the Greek word agauos meaning "admirable" or "noble" in probable reference to the very tall flower spikes found on the plants of many species of Agave. 

Specific epithet derives from the Latin 'ovatus', meaning egg, and 'folius', meaning leaves, in reference to the leaf shape.

 Common name also refers to the leaf shape.