Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Furcraea Vent., Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom. Paris 1: 65 (1793)
 Description

Robust, succulent to leathery, arborescent or acaulescent perennials. Trunk unbranched, tall or short (or 0). Leaves in a dense rosette, fleshy or leathery, margins with conspicuous well-spaced spines and entire between, or with minute close teeth throughout. Inflorescence a large terminal pyramidal panicle; scape tall. Flowers bisexual, whitish or greenish-white, numerous along branches, solitary or in small fascicles of 2–3, with scarious bracts; flowers often replaced by bulbils; segments connate in short tube, lobes spreading. Stamens usually < segments, inserted at base; filaments with cushion-like swelling at base; anthers dorsifixed. Ovary inferior, 3-locular; style 3-angled and thickened below, stigma small; ovules many in each locule. Seeds flat, black. Some spp. reproducing only by bulbils and not forming seed.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Furcraea Vent.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised2
Exotic: Casual1
Total3
 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Ventenat, E.P. 1793: Bulletin des Sciences, de la Société Philomatique de Paris 1: 65.