Agave decipiens
Photographs belong to the photographers who allow use for FNPS purposes only. Please contact the photographer for all other uses.
False Sisal
Agavaceae
Plant Specifics
| Form: | Shrub | |
| Size: | 4-5 (8) ft tall by 5 (8) ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | White | |
| Fruit Color: | Brown | |
| Phenology: | Evergreen | |
| Noted for: | Showy flowers, Interesting foliage |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Specimen plant. Plant where its pointy foliage will be an asset but not be touched. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Considerations: | Sharp pointed leaves and sap that can be irritating to the skin. Only blooms once. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propagation: | Seed and basal root cuttings. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Availability: | Native nurseries, FNPS plant sales, Seed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Short very dry periods ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: | Short very dry periods ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance: | High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil or other substrate: | Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil pH: | Calcarious | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ecology
| Wildlife: |
| |
| Insects: | Larval host for Yucca Giant Skipper (Megathymus yuccae) and Cofaqui Giant Skipper (Megathymus cofaqui). Pollinated by moths. | |
| Native Habitats: | Coastal hammocks, shell middens, dry coastal uplands. |
Distribution and Planting Zones
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 9A 9B
USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures
Comments
| General Comments: | Can be distinguished from non-native agave by its bare basal trunk. Endemic to southern peninsular Florida from the Monroe County Keys north along the coasts to Martin and Manatee counties. |