Agaves and more

For several years, I have half-heartedly tried to learn the difference between agaves and yuccas. I would see the varieties of each that we have in the Hill Country, but I could not really remember which was which, because, frankly, I never really knew. Today, I decided to search the web and my collection of books to see if once and for I can get some facts to stick in my head.

Several things have prompted these thoughts at this particular time. A major one is that several of my friends and I have these plants in bloom right now. Each one is different and spectacular. Jackie Mattice has one in bloom that is probably 10 -15 high. She had her husband stand beside it and he looked about the size of a youngster. Another friend, Roberta Shoemaker Beal, has one in her yard that has impressed her because of its rapid growth from one day to the next. My own is not quite as spectacular as theirs but it is lovely, tall and has a stem of beautiful white flowers along a four foot spire at the top of the double trunk cluster of slender, sharp edged leaves.

Now, what have I learned? Both yuccas and agaves belong to the family of Agavaceae. Agaves usually have sharp spines on the leaf edges where yuccas have none. Yuccas also have thinner, straighter, and less succulent leaves than agaves and with time produce trunks. Yuccas depend on special species of moths to reproduce while agaves resort to pollinators such as bees, birds, hawk moths, and bats.

Yuccas typically bloom each year, presenting large bell-shaped white flowers. Agaves typical[y bloom only once, right before dying, producing flowers that grow high above the rosette. Tequila is made from some specimens of agaves and its fibers (sisal) are used to make ropes and twine. Yucca roots can be used to make soap and some species feature edible fruits. Its fibers can also be used to make ropes, sandals and cloth.

Even with these details, I am still having a hard time recalling the differences enough to be sure of the identity of each plant. Maybe in time and with more experience….