Mauritius hemp
(Furcraea foetida)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Origin
Native to Central America.
Appearance
Large, succulent rosette (similar to Agave or century plant), occasionally with stem <3.3' (<1 m) and flower spike to 19.7" (6 m).
Foliage
Light green, 3.3-6.6' (1-2 m) long, to 7.9" (20 cm) wide, no prickles (occasionally a few) with a spine at the tip 1.6-3" (4-8 cm). Softer than Agaves.
Flower
Very large 19.7' (6 m) panicle with many branches of cream-yellow, bulbous, dangling flowers.
Fruits
Rarely fruits. Produces hundreds of small plantlets ~1.6" (~4 cm) in diameter.
Could be confused with:
Agave species which have stiffer leaves, often with prickles along leaf margin, flowers erect, tubular, and may produce capsules (though sisal hemp [A. sisalana] often produces plantlets). False sisal (A. decipiens),a native also found in coastal habitats of S. FL forms a large trunk.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Native to Central America.
Appearance
Large, succulent rosette (similar to Agave or century plant), occasionally with stem <3.3' (<1 m) and flower spike to 19.7" (6 m).
Foliage
Light green, 3.3-6.6' (1-2 m) long, to 7.9" (20 cm) wide, no prickles (occasionally a few) with a spine at the tip 1.6-3" (4-8 cm). Softer than Agaves.
Flower
Very large 19.7' (6 m) panicle with many branches of cream-yellow, bulbous, dangling flowers.
Fruits
Rarely fruits. Produces hundreds of small plantlets ~1.6" (~4 cm) in diameter.
Could be confused with:
Agave species which have stiffer leaves, often with prickles along leaf margin, flowers erect, tubular, and may produce capsules (though sisal hemp [A. sisalana] often produces plantlets). False sisal (A. decipiens),a native also found in coastal habitats of S. FL forms a large trunk.
Citation
Angelo, C., Cooley, H., Giardina, D., et al. 2019. Everglades CISMA: Early Detection, Rapid Response Plant Species. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) CISMA and Friends of Everglades CISMA. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/mura/ECISMA/assets/File/ECISMA_plantEDRR_.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Asparagales |
| Family: Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: Agavoideae |
| Genus: Furcraea |
| Furcraea foetida |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.