Content
- Agaves and similar plants: beware of likelihood of confusion
- Beware of confusion with aloe vera
- The candle palm leaf as an optical double of the agaves
- The so-called bow hemp
- Tips
The aloe vera is not one of the agaves
Agaves and similar plants: beware of likelihood of confusion
In their care needs, the different types of agave are quite similar to the cacti, since they require little care and react sensitively to any cuts with the serving as water storage leaves. Visually, however, there are a number of other plants that are sometimes confused with the grown in the pot or as a houseplant agave.
Beware of confusion with aloe vera
Meanwhile, the aloe vera is similar in many gardens as agave, as the healing properties of aloe juice is very well known. However, caution is advised: Since some types of agave are quite easily poisonous, their juice should never leave the leaves in open wounds and if possible not on the skin. Although certain agaves are used for the production of agave syrup or tequila, a mix-up with the healing aloe vera certainly offers potential dangers.
The candle palm leaf as an optical double of the agaves
Sometimes the specimens of the species Yucca gloriosa, also known as candle-palm leaves, are mistaken for the agaves. However, they are also arranged in the form of a rosette leaves much thinner and less hydrous. That may well be the main reason that these plants are very hardy, unlike many Agave species. Also known as the Spanish dagger, the candle palm leaves flower at a suitable location every year and tends more to form a woody stem than agaves. This plant may be an exotic alternative if the similar-looking agaves can not be hibernated outdoors due to local temperatures.
The so-called bow hemp
Due to its decorative leaves, the bow hemp is cultivated similarly as a houseplant in the pot as the agave. Common features of the Sansevieria with the agaves are:
It is different, however, that the leaves are not arranged as a large leaf rosette, but grow along the rhizome as basal leaf rosettes or two-line. On each shoot an inflorescence is formed only once, the shoots do not die after flowering.
Tips
As a rule, agaves can be identified relatively clearly by their thick, fleshy leaves and by the often existing spines.