Agave caribaeicola; Synonyms: A. caribaea, A. medioxima

Plant Family: Belongs to the Agavaceae family, which includes Sisal or Hemp used in rope making (Agave sisalana), the popular ornamental, Yucca (Yucca sp.), and the Blue Agave of Mexico (Agave tequilana) from which the best Tequila is made.

Description: Stem seemingly absent; leaves long, green, and lanceolate, up to 2 m long (6.5 ft) and 20 cm wide (8 in), organized in a large, attractive basal rosette, are thick and succulent, with small marginal spines and sharp brown apical spines, older leaves bent waterfall-like; inflorescence a tall central panicle, up to 8 m (26 ft); flowers in clusters, yellowish green, 7-8 cm wide (about 3 in); fruit a capsule with numerous flat, black, shiny seeds; plant blooms in a single large inflorescence after many years, anywhere from 8-25 years, using all its energy to produce flowers and seeds; when blooming is finished, plant dies; in the Gardens, one specimen can be seen near the hedge north of the Red Ficus tree (Ficus benghalensis) opposite the office compound.

Natural Habitat: The dry, leeward, west coast bluffs and cliffs of the Eastern Caribbean islands.

Origin and Distribution: Native to the West Indies; and in Dominica, grows in several areas along the west coast; no reports available on propagation, though typically Agaves propagate by seed, suckers or bulbils.