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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Pinkish White |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Synonyms: [B. chiapensis] |
| Height: 2-6 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Beschorneria albiflora (Trunking Beschorneria) - This Agave relative forms dense wide rosettes of 2-3 foot long by 3 inch wide medium green leaves that are held somewhat stiffly from the base but are soft textured to the touch and lax towards the tips. The rosettes are atop trunk-like stalks that can eventually reach 6 feet tall or more. From the center of the rosette emerges the 4-5 foot long upright arching inflorescence with a bright red stem and side branches that bear pendulous cream to chartreuse colored tubular flowers that are flushed with pink. A beautiful picture of this flower, taken by Brian Kemble of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, graces the cover of the May-June 2005 issue of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America's bimonthly publication the “Cactus and Succulent Journal”. In the accompanying text for this image it is noted that the specific epithet 'albiflora' might be a bit of a stretch as the tepals are only briefly white as the buds begin to open and then quickly flush pink, then red. Plant in full sun to light shade - plants grown in full sun will require regular summer watering while shaded plants require less irrigation. Hardy to 15-20° F. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. Beschorneria albiflora is the southernmost occurring species in the genus and was described from plants collected at Cerro Azul in Oaxaca, Mexico. It is also found in Chiapas, Guatamala and Honduras and is the only Beschorneria that forms an above-ground stem. It was introduced into cultivation by Dr. Dennis Breedlove, Curator Emeritus of the California Academy of Sciences and has been grown in the Berkeley Botanic Garden and Strybing Arboretum for many years. It has withstood temperatures down to 16° F undamaged in the December 1990 hard freeze. The name Beschorneria honors Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Beschorner (1806-1873), a German botanist. Our plants from Martin Grantham's seed (Plantsman's Pocket) sold to us by Seedhunt.
The information on this page is based on our library and online research as well as observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Beschorneria albiflora.
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