Visitors to the Distinctive Plant Collection of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) may be impressed by the arching stalk of yellow flowers of some succulent plants these days. The succulent plants are Agave attenuata, also known as the foxtail agave or the emerald agave. It is the first time that this succulent plant blooms at XTBG.

Agave attenuata stands out with its smooth, soft, spineless green leaves in a large rosette. Its dramatic arching flower stalk, resembling a fox's tail, makes it a unique and attractive choice for modern landscapes.

Agave attenuata is native to the plateau of central Mexico. It is a highly popular succulent that looks equally impressive in pots and gardens. Unlike most Agaves, it is harmless, making it a popular choice for those who want to avoid thorny plants. The rosettes grow on top of a sturdy stem that can grow up to 1.2 m tall. They can reach up to 1.5 m in diameter and form a cone in the center. The leaves vary in color, ranging from yellowish-green to blue-green or gray-green.

Agave attenuata blooms when it is at least 10 years old. The small flowers grow in clusters at the end of a long, thick stalk called a raceme. When the flowers die off, a seed pod grows in its place, making seed propagation by seed easy.

Come and enjoy this foxtail-like flower at XTBG!

Agave attenuata blooms at XTBG.

Arching stalk of yellow flowers that emerge from the mature rosette。