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Watson, Sean
Manfreda sileri Verhoek-Williams
Siler's tuberose
Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)
USDA Symbol: MASI
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Herbaceous member of the agave family with rosette of basal leaves and somewhat woody flowering stalk. Leaves light green to blue green with brownish spots, somewhat succulent (as in other Manfreda species), up to 16 inches long and 2 inches wide flowering stalk typically 6-7 feet tall. Flowers with a waxy, greenish tube usually about 1/2 inch long capped by 6 recurved perianth lobes. Stamens exerted at least 11/2 inches beyond perianth. Growing separately or in colonies, in open areas, on clay soil.
Flowering spring to midsummer. Flowers yellow and fragrant. Rosette evergreen and succulent making it a nice accent plant. Flowers are very unusual.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Serrulate
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: 1-3
Leaf: lt green w/grn or brown spots
Flower: Flower to 2 cm long
Fruit: Seeds black 2.3-3.1 cm
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Sun , Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Fragrant flowers emit their fragrance at night attracting moths as pollinators. Finches and sparrows eat seed.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies , Hummingbirds
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1315 Collected 2013-08-22 in Hildago County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Manfreda sileri in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Manfreda sileri in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Manfreda sileri
Metadata
Record Modified: 2008-10-20Research By: JSC
