THE IMOXOCOTYLEDONES 



2045 



those of Agave but the inflorescences are even larger and have pendent 

 branches. Beschorneria is a Mexican genus with ten species while Doryanthes 

 with three species occurs in Australia. 



In all these genera vegetative propagation commonly occurs by means 

 of suckers from the base of the stem and by the formation of bulbils in 

 place of flowers and is used as a means of rapidly increasing the economic 

 species. 



Many of the species of the Agaveae are employed as a source of strong 

 commercial fibres which are prepared from the bundle sheaths in the leaves. 

 Among the more important of these are: Agave sisalana, Sisal Hemp; 

 A. fourcroydes, Henequen or Yucatan Sisal; A. funkiana, Istle or Mexican 

 Fibre; A. cantala and A. americana, Maguey Hemp; A. morrisii, Keratto 

 Fibre; Fiircraea gigantea, Mauritius Hemp; and F. ciibensis, Cuban Hemp. 



In the Nolineae are included several genera with short woody stems or 

 rhizomes which have long linear, often serrated leaves. Among the better- 

 known genera is Dasylirion (Fig. 1984) which is represented by ten species 

 occurring in IVIexico and Texas. The plants are xerophytic with large, 



m^LirJ 



Fig. 1985. — Phormium tcna.\. Flax Lily. Flowering plant. 



