490 



A TEXT-BOOK OF BOTANY. 



is the CENTURY PLANT (Agave americana} , which is one of the 

 most important economic plants of Mexico. The stem axis of 

 the plant is very short and the thick, fleshy leaves form a tuft at 



FIG. 271. Plant of Aletris farincsa showing characteristic rosette of lanceolate leaves 

 at the base and portion of long slender scape with numerous tubular flowers. The plant is 

 common in dry coniferous woods in the eastern part of the United States. 



the summit. The leaves are lanceolate, with spinose margins, and 

 furnished with stout terminal spines. The leaves as well as the' 

 roots contain a large amount of mucilage which retains water and 



