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Agave azurea, a new species of Agave from the Picachos de Santa Clara, Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a medium-sized species with distinctive glaucous blue-green leaves that does not produce offsets, has a relatively short and narrow inflorescence, and a distinctive flower structure. The closest relative to this new species is Agave vizcainoensis,...
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In 1978, Howard Scott Gentry published his second monograph on the genus Agave focusing on the plants of the peninsula of Baja California, México, and the related species in the group Deserticolae in the US and Sonora. We revisit Gentry's work with an emphasis on revising the genus and its taxonomic arrangement and including several recently descri...
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A diagnostic description of the genus is given with special emphasis on the occurrence of succulence amongst its species. The geographical distribution is outlined, together with a selection of important literature, and an explanation of the etymology of the name. This is followed by a short summary of its position in the phylogeny of the family and of the past and present classification in a phylogenetic context. The succulent features present amongst the species of the genus are shortly explained as to morphology and anatomy.
This is followed by a synoptical treatment of the species (all succulent) of the genus, complete with typification details, full synonymy, geographical and ecological data, a diagnostic description, and, where applicable, notes on phylogenetic placement and relationships, as well as economic and/or horticultural importance.
A diagnostic description of the genus is given with special emphasis on the occurrence of succulence amongst its species. The geographical distribution is outlined, together with a selection of important literature, and an explanation of the etymology of the name. This is followed by a short summary of its position in the phylogeny of the family and of the past and present classification in a phylogenetic context. The succulent features present amongst the species of the genus are shortly explained as to morphology and anatomy.
This is followed by a synoptical treatment of the species (all succulent) of the genus, complete with typification details, full synonymy, geographical and ecological data, a diagnostic description, and, where applicable, notes on phylogenetic placement and relationships, as well as economic and/or horticultural importance.
In 1978, Howard Scott Gentry published his second monograph on the genus Agave focusing on the plants of the peninsula of Baja California, México, and the related species in the group Deserticolae in the US and Sonora. We revisit Gentry's work with an emphasis on revising the genus and its taxonomic arrangement and including several recently described species from this Mexican peninsula known for its high plant endemism. A total of 23 Agave taxa occur on the peninsula, 22 of which are endemic. We change Gentry's treatment of four groups into six sections formally defined to better segregate species based on shared inflorescence characteristics. We eliminate one variety, revert one variety to species status, change two species to subspecies or varieties, and reduce one subspecies to a variety. We present high spatial resolution maps of the distribution of these species as well and correct some of the previous identifications of herbarium specimens. Extensive field work suggests that taxonomic problems remain in the Agave sobria complex of the Sierra de la Giganta, where as many as three additional taxa could be described from the array of variation we observed. As well, the distributional overlap of Agave avellanidens and Agave shawii ssp. goldmaniana remains problematic owing to similar vegetative characteristics but greatly differing inflorescences.