Furcraea niquivilensis explained

Furcraea niquivilensis is a plant species native to Chiapas, Mexico.[1]

Furcraea niquivilensisis a monocarpic shrub with a trunk up to 3 m tall, 40 cm in diameter. It produces a rosette of up to 150 leaves. Each leaf is lanceolate to sword-shaped, up to 210 cm long, 14 cm across, armed with sharp curved prickles up to 8 mm long along the margins. Flowering stalks can reach a height of 9 m, bearing a large panicle of greenish-white flowers.[2] [3] [4]

Uses

The people who live in the area where the species grows plant it to control erosion. They also use the fibers in making ropes and baskets.[2] Other members of the same genus, called fique, are used in South America in similar fashion.

Notes and References

  1. http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=153845 SEINet, Southwest Environmental Information Network
  2. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/14669#page/42/mode/1up García-Mendoza, Abisaí Josué. 1999. Una especie nueva de Furcraea (Agavaceae) de Chiapas, México. Novon 9:42-45.
  3. http://www.tropicos.org/ImageFullView.aspx?imageid=1273 photo of isotype of Furcraea niquivilensis at Missouri Botanical Garden
  4. http://www.tropicos.org/ImageFullView.aspx?imageid=1279 photo of paratype of Furcraea niquivilensisat Missouri Botanical Garden