Agave bracteosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Agave bracteosa |
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Agave bracteosa is a fascinating plant often called the spider agave or squid agave. It gets these fun names because its leaves spread out like the arms of a spider or a squid! This unique plant grows naturally in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range in México. You can find it in the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo León. It likes to grow on rocky slopes and cliffs where it gets some shade, usually at high elevations between 900 and 1,700 meters (about 3,000 to 5,600 feet) above sea level. Even though it doesn't grow in a very large area, it's not considered to be in danger of disappearing.
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What Does It Look Like?
Agave bracteosa is smaller than many other agave plants. Its leaves are a lovely green color and feel thick and juicy. They are long and shaped like a spear, growing to about 50–70 centimeters (20–28 inches) long. At their widest point, near the base, they are about 3–5 centimeters (1–2 inches) across.
Leaves and Spines
Unlike many other agave plants, Agave bracteosa is very friendly! Its leaves have tiny, tiny bumps along their edges, but they don't have sharp teeth. Also, the tip of each leaf does not have a sharp spine. This makes it much safer to touch than its spiky relatives. Sometimes, the leaves curl a bit, which reminds people of another agave called the octopus agave.
Flowers and Stems
When it blooms, Agave bracteosa sends up a flower stalk that is about 1.2–1.7 meters (4–5.5 feet) tall. The top third of this stalk is covered with many white or pale-yellow flowers. These flowers are special because their petals grow from a flat, disk-shaped base, which is different from how most agave flowers are formed. The parts of the flower that hold the pollen, called stamens, are also quite long.
Unique Features of Agave bracteosa
Scientists group Agave bracteosa with a few other agave types, like Agave ellemeetiana and Agave guiengola. This group is sometimes called "Choritepalae." What makes Agave bracteosa and Agave ellemeetiana stand out is their flat, disk-shaped flower base and their leaves without sharp spines. These features are so different that some scientists have thought about putting them in their own separate plant group. However, Agave guiengola has some traits that connect this special group back to the rest of the Agave family.
See also
In Spanish: Agave bracteosa para niños
