Asparagaceae
Asparagaceae Juss. (1789)
Asparagaceae is a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants comprising over 2,900 species in 114 genera, ranging from herbs to shrubs and trees. It encompasses highly diverse groups such as agaves, yuccas, dracaenas, asparagus, and hyacinths, many of which hold significant economic, ornamental, and cultural importance. The family is characterized by generally linear or lanceolate leaves and flowers with six tepals arranged in racemes or panicles.
Agave
Agave
Agave is a genus of monocarpic succulent plants native primarily to Mexico and the southwestern United States, with some species extending into Central America and the Caribbean. Their fleshy, fibrous leaves—often armed with terminal and marginal spines—form dense rosettes that may take 10 to 30 years to flower; after producing a towering inflorescence, the mother plant dies, leaving behind offsets (pups). The genus comprises approximately 270 recognized species and holds immense cultural and economic importance: it provides fibers (sisal, henequen), alcoholic beverages (tequila, mezcal, pulque), and is widely used as an ornamental plant.
Chrysodracon
Chrysodracon
Genus of monocotyledonous plants of the Asparagaceae family, endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Comprises small rosette trees or shrubs forming the so-called 'Hawaiian dragon tree'. Previously included in Dracaena. Species grow in dry and semi-arid forests of the Hawaiian islands and are threatened by habitat loss.
Furcraea
Furcraea
Genus of large succulent plants of the family Asparagaceae, closely related to Agave; giant rosettes with long fleshy leaves; native to tropical America; some produce commercial fibers (sisal, fique).
Geaya
Geaya
Monospecific genus of family Asparagaceae, native to dry forests of southern Madagascar. A large succulent tree with thickened trunk.
Hesperaloe
Hesperaloe
Genus of rosette-forming succulents native to Texas and northeastern Mexico. They feature strap-like leaves with curly white fibers along the margins and tall flower spikes with tubular coral-red or yellow flowers. Highly valued in xeriscaping for their outstanding drought tolerance.
Hesperoyucca
Hesperoyucca
Genus of monocarpic or polycarpic succulent plants from California, Baja California, and the southwestern USA. Previously classified under Yucca, they are distinguished by their trunk-forming or acaulescent habit, stiff sword-like leaves, and large white paniculate flower clusters. Adapted to dry, rocky soils.
Littaea
Littaea
Historical genus of the family Asparagaceae (formerly Agavaceae), described by Tagliabue. It included hard-leaved, fibrous species from the Americas, now mostly synonymized with Agave or related genera. Littaea species are characterized by spike or raceme inflorescences, unlike the typical panicles of Agave.
Macrobia
Macrobia
Genus of the family Asparagaceae, endemic to the Macaronesian islands (Canary Islands, Madeira). Tree-like or shrubby plants with long leaves and flowers in racemes. Previously included in Dracaena or related genera.
Manfreda
Manfreda
Genus of the family Asparagaceae (formerly Agavaceae), closely related to Agave. Rosette-forming succulent plants with spotted or plain leaves and a tall floral scape with tubular flowers. Native to Mexico and southern USA. Many authors include Manfreda in Agave; others keep it separate.
Pleomele
Pleomele
Genus of tropical tree-like plants in Asparagaceae, closely related to Dracaena (frequently synonymised into Dracaena in modern treatments). Grown as an ornamental foliage plant across tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.
Samuela
Samuela
Monotypic or diotypic genus in the family Asparagaceae, closely related to Yucca and now treated by most taxonomic authorities as a synonym of that genus. Samuela plants are large tree yuccas native to the Chihuahuan Desert and arid zones of northeastern Mexico, capable of reaching 5 m in height with a well-defined trunk crowned by a dense rosette of rigid, linear leaves with filamentous margins. Their imposing architecture and the scarcity of water in their natural habitat have made their populations key components of the desert landscape. They flower producing enormous terminal panicles of white campanulate flowers pollinated by Tegeticula moths (obligate mutualism). The main species, S. carnerosana (= Yucca carnerosana), is known locally as palma samandoca and its fibre has been used artisanally for centuries.
Sansevieria
Sansevieria
Sarcoyucca
Sarcoyucca
Genus of succulent plants in Asparagaceae, historically recognized to group tree-like or shrubby species related to Yucca. Includes the Joshua tree (Sarcoyucca brevifolia) and other species from arid regions of North and Central America.
x Mangave
x Mangave
Intergeneric hybrid genus resulting from crosses between Manfreda and Agave (family Asparagaceae). Combines the spotted foliage and shade tolerance of Manfreda with the robust habit of Agave. x Mangave cultivars are increasingly popular in ornamental gardening.
Yucca
Yucca