Furcraea foetida

Common Name: mauritius hemp

Family: Agavaceae

Common Synonyms: Agave foetida, Furcraea gigantea

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8a - 11

Growth Habit: Shrub

Origin: Greater Antilles, Guadeloupe to northern South America to Brazil

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: specimen vouchered in 1979

IFAS Assessment:

• North: CAUTION
• Central: INVASIVE
• South: INVASIVE

Description

Robust shrub with basal rosette of stiff leaves to 3.5 m in diameter with a woody flowering stalk to 10 m in height. Leaves linear-lanceolate, fleshy, with marginal spines. Flowers on terminal panicles, white, fragrant, 2.5-3.3 cm long.

Habitat

Dry, disturbed sites, coastal uplands, rockland hammock, scrub

Comments

Only outside of cultivation in Dade Co, mainly in areas of old plantings. Forms mono-specific thickets in HI. IFAS assessment indicates high risk. Similar to sisal (Agave sisalana), but is solid green in color. Variegation common in this species.

Control Methods

• Manual: NA
• Chemical: Foliar (2,4-D or triclopyr amine, Motooka et al.)
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

Note: This species is tolerant of foliar applications of glyphosate, hexazinone, and triclopyr amine mixed with water and to soil applications of hexazinone Motooka et al).NA

References

Dave's Garden. 2013. PlantFiles: Mauritius Hemp, Mediterranean hemp, malagache Aloe, Furcraea foetida. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/56095/. Accessed on December 9, 2013.

Motooka, P., L. Castro, D. Nelson, G. Nagai, and L. Ching. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii's Pastures and Natural Areas, An identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa.

USDA-USFS. 2013. Mauritius hemp, Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw. http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Furcraea%20foetida.pdf. Accessed on December 10, 2013.