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Mar 2, 2015 8:19 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dirt
(Zone 5b)
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I've had this little plant for over a decade and I don't know what it is -- hoping someone can recognize it.
Thumb of 2015-03-03/dirtdorphins/76dce2 Thumb of 2015-03-03/dirtdorphins/7059c6
I recall buying it as an aloe...but, it is not at all like any aloe I know, so maybe it's some kind of unique aloe or a different kind of plant altogether Hilarious!
leaves are very stiff and smooth (except for the shaggy stuff), no marginal teeth of any kind, very sharp, pointed tips, with these cool white stripes that kinda peel off and hang out (more like a mini-yucca)
Thumb of 2015-03-03/dirtdorphins/ef5706 Thumb of 2015-03-03/dirtdorphins/792f06
Thumb of 2015-03-03/dirtdorphins/04428c Thumb of 2015-03-03/dirtdorphins/916d8e

It's about 8" tall and wide, and it has never bloomed. It gets a southern window and sometimes I water it.
Any help at all would be greatly appreciated--
Thanks in advance
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Mar 2, 2015 9:15 PM CST
Name: Carol
Santa Ana, ca
Sunset zone 22, USDA zone 10 A.
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Don't know which one it might be, but I bet if it spent the summer outside it would bloom.Many types of Aloe are in bud or bloom around here now, and most will take some cold, but do need sun.
Last edited by ctcarol Mar 2, 2015 9:19 PM Icon for preview
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Mar 2, 2015 10:05 PM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
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Could it be Dwarf Yucca 'Nana'? Nothing in the database yet:
http://www.bennyskaktus.dk/Y_n...

Or another dwarf?
http://www.highcountrygardens....
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Mar 2, 2015 10:17 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dirt
(Zone 5b)
Region: Utah Bee Lover Garden Photography Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Photo Contest Winner: 2016
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Oh my gosh--it kinda looks like it would rather be an Agave schidigera ‘Black Widow’ (even if it is a little sickly and stunty looking right now)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1...
http://www.artsnursery.com/m/b...

What do you think?

Well, I'm moving it out for the summer (if it ever gets here)!! and I will repot it, too.
I've got sun to fry aloes, but this guy really looks like he'll appreciate it and that he needs it.
Interestingly, I have a regular aloe next to this guy that is currently all pale and bronzey in the sun, while I have another in less light that is green.
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Mar 2, 2015 11:33 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
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It looks like an agave to me too but they are hard to ID for me. 'Black Widow' has wider squatter leaves, yours are narrow and long.

Another possibility:
Small-Flower Agave (Agave parviflora)
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Mar 3, 2015 6:19 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dirt
(Zone 5b)
Region: Utah Bee Lover Garden Photography Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Photo Contest Winner: 2016
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That is a good possibility too!
then, that way, the long and narrow leaves are not entirely due to my inadequate care Rolling my eyes.

Well, I'm thinking at least it is an agave anyway...and I'll give it new digs for the summer and see what happens.
If it responds by blooming and dying, then it will have declared itself to have been an agave all along Smiling
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Mar 3, 2015 6:42 AM CST
Name: mj
Central Florida
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Mar 3, 2015 9:39 AM CST
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Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
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Those are two very distinct agave with wider squatter leaves also.
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Mar 3, 2015 9:39 AM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
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This is a guess: A type of Agave toumeyana?
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Mar 3, 2015 10:10 AM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
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It somehow reminds me of a young Agave geminiflora.
Last edited by tarev Mar 3, 2015 10:16 AM Icon for preview
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Mar 3, 2015 11:31 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
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greene's suggestion of Agave toumeyana looks like it may be a good possibility. There's only one A. toumeyana in the database with photos: Fairy Ring Agave (Agave toumeyana var. bella)

Two database photos for Twin-Flowered Agave (Agave geminiflora) that look totally different from each other!
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Mar 3, 2015 11:37 AM CST
Name: Rick R.
Minneapolis,MN, USA z4b,Dfb/a
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Definitely not an aloe.

I still favor yucca. Although, grown as a houseplant can make things look very different. Out in the garden, characteristics will be more true. This is Yucca nana in my garden in early spring after a typical Minnesota winter that it barely survives. Still, the normal structure is very evident.
Thumb of 2015-03-03/Leftwood/b36fd3
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Mar 3, 2015 11:46 AM CST
Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

Region: Ukraine Region: United States of America Bird Bath, Fountain and Waterfall Region: Florida Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
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Did someone suggest
~ I'm an old gal who still loves playing in the dirt!
~ Playing in the dirt is my therapy ... and I'm in therapy a lot!


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Mar 3, 2015 12:20 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
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plantladylin said:greene's suggestion of Agave toumeyana looks like it may be a good possibility. There's only one A. toumeyana in the database with photos: Fairy Ring Agave (Agave toumeyana var. bella)

Two database photos for Twin-Flowered Agave (Agave geminiflora) that look totally different from each other!


As for that database photo for Agave geminiflora, Gleni's photo is more correct.
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Mar 3, 2015 1:00 PM CST
Name: Janet Super Sleuth
Near Lincoln UK
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Mar 3, 2015 8:52 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
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plantladylin said:

Two database photos for Twin-Flowered Agave (Agave geminiflora) that look totally different from each other!


I moved the incorrect one into the generic aloe entry.
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Mar 3, 2015 9:09 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
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(I know it's time to go to sleep because I just read Calif_Sue's post as:
"I moved the incorrect one into the geriatric aloe entry." Rolling on the floor laughing Yep, *Blush* these old eyes are going to sleep.)
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Mar 3, 2015 9:11 PM CST
Moderator
Name: Suzanne/Sue
Sebastopol, CA (Zone 9a)
Sunset Zone 15
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Hilarious!
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Mar 3, 2015 9:56 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Dirt
(Zone 5b)
Region: Utah Bee Lover Garden Photography Photo Contest Winner: 2014 Photo Contest Winner: 2015 Photo Contest Winner: 2016
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Wow!
Thanks everyone!
filifera looks possible...and toumeyana
I am voting for some type of agave...
Shrug! mostly because of the meatiness of the leaves, the cool stippling and stripes -or bud imprints, and the fact that there are many more compact agave hybrids than yucca showing up for impulse purchase it seems.
I got it from a BBS mini-succulent half-dead sale rack many years ago when I lived in MN--it was called 'Bird's Nest' Aloe Hilarious! and I agree--definitely not an aloe. The lying tag also said to "Protect from frost".
It is probably amazing that it is still alive after all these years with poor culture indoors and I am quite certain that it doesn't look normal or as it should either, because of that.
It will be interesting to see if and how it changes after a summer outside Thumbs up
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