Agave Species, Akayman, Century Plant, Mottled Tuberose, Texas Tuberose

I have not grown this plant. Mottled Tuberose, Texas Tuberose (Manfreda variegata; synonyms: Agave variegata, Manfreda variegata, Manfre...Read Moreda tamazunchalensis, Manfreda xilitlensis, Polianthes variegata, Polianthes variegata, ) is also commonly known as variegated huaco, variegated wild tuberose, amole akayman (Spanish) and rattlesnake master. It is found natively growing only in Texas (endemic: Lower Rio Grande - Cameron County) and Mexico (Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Yucatán) on dry chaparral or moist locations, on rocky slopes or open/dense oak woods and is widely cultivated in gardens in Texas as well as Mexico and southern Africa.

Its succulent 16 inches long leaf blades resemble that of agaves, taper to a point and are splashed with liver-colored spots and are in the form of a basal rosette. The margins usually have distantly spaced, small teeth. The foliage usually is evergreen in mild winter climates; however, it is deciduous in the northern part of its growing range. The blooms which have a cooked onion odor appear in 8 inch long and 5 inch wide flower clusters on 3 foot to 6 foot flower spikes. They are light yellow to greenish-yellow turning to red and have showy lily-like anthers which give them a spidery appearance. They are followed by papery seed capsules. Hummingbirds love the flowers which provide early season nectar. Mottled tuberose may be a host plant for Manfreda Giant Skipper which is endangered in Texas due to habitat destruction.

This plant grows naturally on our very rocky terrain. The leaves remain close to the ground and are indeed pretty, but the flower stalk w...Read Moreill be 5 feet tall. Flowers themselves not very conspicuous.
Very obvious seedpods form and I take it it self sows. Apparently, the flowers become fragrant at night. (need to re-verify that aspect).
The soil is very poor in its natural state and we experience drought conditions in summer so it should be a good subject for xeriscaping. I am a plant nut and try to maintain the rather unusual plants that grow on our terrain which goes by the name of a glade.