Agave Virginica

Jun, Jul, Aug

Cactus/Succulent, Herbaceous Perennial, Native Plant, Perennial

Perennial

Up to 30 pale yellow-green 3-petaled flowers sit at the end of a solitary 4 to 5 foot flower stalk rising from the basal rosette. The flowers have a sweet fruity fragrance. At the base of each flower is a membranous leafy bract. The flowers are sessile (sit directly on the stem). The long summer bloom can extend into fall. Unlike true Agaves (Agave spp.), the American Agave can bloom multiple times during its lifespan.

After the bloom period, flowers are replaced by a 1/2 inch capsule-like fruit. The oval shaped 3-celled seed capsules contain 2 rows of flattened seed. The mature seeds are half-orbicular in shape and are blown about by the wind. Fresh seed pods are green and ripen to brown.