Agave americana

Agave americana
The flower stalk may reach up to 8 m (26 ft) in height
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Species:
A. americana
Binomial name
Agave americana
Synonyms
Synonyms list
    • Agave altissima Zumagl.
    • Agave communis Gaterau
    • Agave complicata Trel. ex Ochot.
    • Agave cordillerensis Lodé & Pino
    • Agave felina Trel.
    • Agave fuerstenbergii Jacobi
    • Agave gracilispina (Rol.-Goss.) Engelm. ex Trel.
    • Agave ingens A.Berger
    • Agave melliflua Trel.
    • Agave milleri Haw.
    • Agave ornata Jacobi
    • Agave picta Salm-Dyck
    • Agave ramosa Moench
    • Agave salmiana var. gracilispina Rol.-Goss
    • Agave subtilis Trel.
    • Agave subzonata Trel.
    • Agave theometel Zuccagni
    • Agave variegata Steud.
    • Agave virginica Mill. 1768, non L. 1753
    • Agave zonata Trel.

Agave americana, commonly known as the century plant, maguey, or American aloe, is a flowering plant species belonging to the family Asparagaceae. It is native to Mexico and the United States, specifically Texas. This plant is widely cultivated worldwide for its ornamental value and has become naturalized in various regions, including Southern California, the West Indies, South America, the Mediterranean Basin, Africa, the Canary Islands, India, China, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia.

Despite being called "American aloe" in common parlance, Agave americana is not closely related to Aloe species.