Agave inaguensis

Agave inaguensis Trel.

Family: Asparagaceae

Habit: Agave inaguensis grows as an acaulescent, semi succulent shrub.  The leaves are arranged in a basal rosette producing new leaves from the center every year.  The leaves are grayish green, up to 1 meter in length, 12 cm wide and develop an involute groove with age.  The leaf apex is modified into a stout spine and the leaf margin is dark purple-black and prickled throughout.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in a terminal panicle to 5 meters in height.  The calyx has 3 unfused green sepals.  The corolla has 3 yellow, unfused petals.  There are 6 unfused stamens.  The superior ovary has 3 locules and numerous seeds.  The fruit is a light brown capsule at maturity.  The plant uses the entire apical meristem during flowering and will die off after the fruits become mature.

Habitat: Agave inaguensis grows on sand substrate Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation – Dwarf shrublands near shorelines and on off shore cays.

Distribution: Agave inaguensis occurs in the southern island groupings of the Lucayan Archipelago and is considered endemic.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Agave inaguensis is not used medicinally in the Bahamas.