Notes on genuine Agave vivipara (Agavaceae), a poorly known Caribbean species, recently introduced in the Canary Islands (Spain)

Abstract

The Caribbean species Agave vivipara was confused during several decades with the widely cultivated ornamental species A. angustifolia. Both are in fact quite dissimilar, the former being rarely offered for sale in the horticultural trade. However, in recent years it was rather frequently planted in Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands (Spain) and it soon started to escape. Since it is very poorly known, it is copiously illustrated here and an extensive description, based on native and introduced plant material, is also presented.