Polianthes Explained
Polianthes [1] is a formerly recognized genus of plants in family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. molecular phylogenetic studies showed that Polianthes is embedded within the larger genus Agave, which has been expanded to include it. (See Agave § Taxonomy.) One of its former members is the tuberose, Agave amica, formerly Polianthes tuberosa, a plant that is commonly used in perfume making.
Species
All the species formerly placed in Polianthes are endemic to Mexico, although Agave amica has become naturalized in other places. Some species now included in Agave are listed below with synonyms from the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.
- Polianthes bicolor E.Solano, Camacho & García-Mend. = Agave bicolor
- Polianthes densiflora (B.L.Rob. & Fernald) Shinners = Agave Agave confertiflora
- Polianthes durangensis Rose = Agave palustris
- Polianthes elongata Rose = Agave producta
- Polianthes geminiflora (Lex.) Rose = Agave coetocapnia
- Polianthes howardii Verh.-Will. = Agave howardii
- Polianthes longiflora Rose = Agave dolichantha
- Polianthes michoacana M.Cedano, Delgad. & Enciso = Agave michoacana
- Polianthes montana Rose = Agave rosei
- Polianthes multicolor E.Solano & Dávila = Agave multicolor
- Polianthes nelsonii Rose = Agave neonelsonii
- Polianthes oaxacana García-Mend. & E.Solano = Agave oaxacana
- Polianthes palustris Rose = Agave palustris
- Polianthes platyphylla Rose = Agave platyphylla
- Polianthes pringlei Rose = Agave neopringlei
- Polianthes sessiliflora (Hemsl.) Rose = Agave apedicellata
- Polianthes tuberosa L. = Agave amica
- Polianthes zapopanensis E.Solano & Ríos-Gómez = Agave zapopanensis
Notes and References
- Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
