43 / 476
GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical
Vigour
:
fairly fast
growing
Humidity
:
very arid, semi-
arid, semi-humid
Propagation :
direct sowing,
division
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
low (1000 ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
cacti, succulents
Height
:
1.2 m-1.8 m
Spread
:
1 m-1.5 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
light green,
secondary: light
yellow
Size
:
350 cm
Period
:
January - April
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
4 cm
For those who like the appearance of agaves but fear the sharp spines, this species is the best
choice. Its pale-green foliage is leathery and soft with no serrations along the margins and a soft
tip. Playing children will not be injured by this species, but, on the other hand, this slow-growing
plant takes a long time to recover from damage to its foliage. Dragon-Tree Agaves also differ from
the other roughly 300 species by their short trunk up to 1.5 metres in height and the offsets at
its base. A rosette consists of about 15 leaves that die when the plant begins to flower, although
other heads on the multi-stemmed clumps usually maintain the life of the clump. Bloom stalks
may reach a height of about 2.5 metres and are densely covered with many flowers and bulbils.
The stalk resembles a swan’s neck. Like all Agaves, it tolerates heat, full sun and arid conditions,
but does better with occasional watering, especially during its spectacular flowering period. It
is, however, very susceptible to frost: it will survive, but recovers only slowly. A. attenuata is,
nevertheless, a very attractive and successful agave in Arriyadh, because of its tropical appearance
and soft green clumps of rosettes. Planting agaves in bellied pots with narrow rims should be
avoided, since it is impossible to remove the plant without killing it or destroying the pot in the
process.
42
Agave attenuata,
Agavaceae
Dragon-Tree Agave,
Fox Tail Agave