Foxtail Agave
Agave attenuata
NEMBA category
English: Foxtail Agave, Lion's Tail Agave, Swan's Neck Agave, Soft Leaf Agave, Soft-leaved Agave
Historical scientific names: Agave cernua
This beautiful succulent, often called the Fox Tail Agave, stands out with its striking rosette of soft, grey-green leaves. Unlike many of its agave relatives, these leaves are smooth and spineless, creating a graceful, fountain-like shape that emerges from a thick, central stem.
When mature, it sends up a tall, arching flower spike, resembling a giant, fuzzy foxtail, adorned with greenish-yellow blooms. The species' specific manner of flowering is unique in the genus Agave as most other species produce a towering, vertical display, reminiscent of a miniature tree.
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Origin:
Central and Western Mexico.
Distinguishing features:
Soft, unarmed, grey-green leaves arranged in a large, fountain-like rosette.
A thick, upright stem (trunk) that becomes prominent with age.
A tall, gracefully arching flower spike, often described as resembling a foxtail, covered in greenish-yellow flowers.
Overall appearance:
A large, stem-forming succulent with a striking, symmetrical rosette of leaves. It grows a thick, grey-white stem over time, from which the rosette emerges.
Height:
Typically 1 to 1.5 metres tall, though the flower spike can extend much higher, up to 3 metres.
Width:
The rosette can spread 1.2 to 1.5 metres wide.
Leaves:
Soft, fleshy, pliable, and spineless, unlike most other Agave species. They are pale grey-green to bluish-green, sometimes with a yellowish tinge, and have a smooth, waxy surface. They are lance-shaped, tapering to a point, and grow in a dense, upright, spiralling rosette.
Flowers:
Greenish-yellow, bell-shaped flowers borne in dense clusters along a tall, arching, unbranched flower spike that curves gracefully, resembling a fox's tail or swan's neck. The plant is monocarpic, meaning it flowers only once in its lifetime, typically after 10-15 years, and then dies, though it produces offsets (pups) at its base. It is hermaphroditic, meaning each flower contains both male and female reproductive organs.
Flowering season:
Late summer to autumn (around February to May).
Fruits:
Small, oblong capsules that form after the flowers are pollinated, containing the seeds.
Seeds:
Small, flat, black, D-shaped seeds contained within the fruit capsules.
Bark:
The stem, often referred to as a trunk, is thick, greyish-white, and smooth, becoming woody and more visible as lower leaves drop off with age.
Thorns:
This species is notably spineless and thornless, a key distinguishing feature from many other Agave species.
Wood:
Succulent stem, not true wood.
Roots:
Fibrous root system, not particularly deep or invasive.
Soil type:
Adaptable but prefers well-drained, sandy, or gravelly soils. Does not tolerate waterlogging.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade. In very hot, arid regions, some afternoon shade is beneficial.
Ediblity:
While some Agave species are used to produce sweeteners (agave nectar) or alcoholic beverages (tequila, mezcal), Agave attenuata is not typically used for these purposes. Its sap is not traditionally consumed.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets, especially compared to some other Agave species that can cause skin irritation due to irritating sap.
Uses:
Primarily cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens, rockeries, and pots due to its striking appearance and soft leaves. It is also used in xeriscaping (landscaping that reduces the need for irrigation) and as a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant specimen.
Ecology:
As an alien plant, it does not typically support a wide range of local biodiversity. Its flowers, when they appear, can attract bees and other generalist pollinators.
Distribution and habitat:
Commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens throughout South Africa. It can escape from cultivation and naturalise in disturbed areas, especially in warmer, drier regions, but it is not considered highly invasive in the wild due to its specific propagation methods (offsets rather than abundant seed dispersal in natural environments). It is found primarily in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal, where it is used in urban and suburban landscapes.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Agave comes from the Greek word 'agavos', meaning "noble" or "illustrious," referring to the stately appearance of the flowering plant.
The species epithet attenuata comes from Latin, meaning "tapering" or "thinning," referring to the slender, tapering leaves or the graceful arch of its flower stalk.
Interesting facts:
It's a "one-hit wonder" when it comes to flowers – it only blooms once in its lifetime, sending up a spectacular, curving flower spike before the main rosette gently fades away.
Don't worry, it's not a sad ending! Before it bows out, the mother plant usually produces a flurry of "pups" or offsets at its base, ensuring the next generation of beautiful foxtails is ready to take over.
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