Tam, 8317; 
AGAVE FRANzOosINI. 
Mexico or Central America. 
AMARYLLIDACEAE. Tribe AGAVEAE. 
AGave, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen, Plant. vol. iii. p. 783. 
Agave (Euagave) Franzosini, Nissen in Hort. ex Ricasoli, Della Utilita det 
Giardini d’Acclimazione (1888), p. 7 (nomen); Sewell in Gard. Chron. 
1889, vol. vi. p. 69; W. Wats. in Kew Bull. 1889, p 301; Bak. in Kew 
Bull. 1892, p. 3, et in Gard. Chron, 1892, vol. xii. p. 179, fig. 81; Berger in 
Gartenwelt, 1898, vol. ii. p. 603, c. icon.; species ex affinitate A. Verve 
Crucis, Mill., sed differt foliis numerosioribus majoribus glaucissimis 
asperrimis, paniculaque magis elongata. 
Acaulis, rosula maxima, stolonifera. Folia circiter 40, magna, erecta eleganter 
recurvata, 2°25 m. longa, oblanceolata, superne canaliculata, rigida sed 
parum carnosa, saepe ad margines undulata vel varie flexa, basin versus 
sensim attenuata et carnosiora, subtus valde convexa, supra medium 
35-41 em. lata, sensim acuminata et in spinam validam conicam 6-7 em. 
longam atro-brunneam breviter decurrentem abeuntia, glaucissima, sub sole 
aestivo albida vel caesia, utrinque asperrima et basin versus zonis vel arcis 
viridibus laevibus irregulariter maculata, ad margines parum sinuatos 
aculeis magnis atro-brunneis remotiusculis deltoideo-uncinatis vel patulis 
1-2 cm. longis armata. Jnflorescentia maxima, 11°5 m. alta; scapus 
validus basi 27 cm. diametro, 2°75 m. longus, glaucus, bracteis vacuis 
inferioribus foliaceis superioribus deltoideis subulato-acuminatis munitus ; 
panicula 8°75 m. longa, 2°9 m. lata, oblonga, ramis numerosis patentibus 
viridibus superne repetite trichotome divisis flores numerosos gerentibus ; 
bracteae parvae, deltoideae, reflexae; pedicelli 1-2 cm. longi. Perianthii 
segmenta basi in tubum ventricoso-infundibuliformem 22 mm. longuin 
extra flavescentem continuata, superne libera, avrea, mox siccantia, 
32 mm. longa; exteriora superne linearia, obtusa, planiuscula, interiora 
dorso carinata intus canaliculata. Stamina ad medium tubi affixa; 
filamenta flavescentia, robusta, 8 cm. longa; antherae sulfureae, 4 cm. 
longae. Ovarium 5 em. longum, 3(-6)-gonum, laete et nitide viride, 
basin versus attenuatum, superne 13 mm. latum; stylus robustus trigonus, 
demum 12 cm. longus; stigma capitatum, obscure trilobum.—A. BERGER. 
The Agave which forms the subject of our illustration, 
which Mr. J. G. Baker terms “ the prince of the Agaves,” is 
certainly one of the noblest members of the genus. 
very distinctive whitish or bluish colour which shows to 
much advantage in strong sunlight, the vigour of its 
growth and the grace of its habit combine to render it a 
striking and delightful object. It is not certainly known 
whether its original home be Central America or Mexico, 
but it almost certainly came from one or other of these 
June, 1910. 
