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.