Agave maculosa Hook.
Texas Tuberose Agave
Agave maculosa, popularly known as Texas tuberose or spice lily, is a singular species within genus Agave that differs markedly from the classic agave pattern: it forms basal rosettes of relatively soft, fleshy leaves mottled with purplish to reddish-brown spots, lacks marginal teeth, and multiplies via underground rhizomes forming colonies. Its current valid name under molecular taxonomy is Agave maculata (Regel, 1856), though the designation maculosa (Hooker, 1859) is widely used in horticulture. It is endemic to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Veracruz). Its cream-white tubular flowers with a cinnamon-spice fragrance emerge on a scape up to 1.8 m tall in spring-summer and attract hummingbirds, moths and bees. It is a host plant for the Stallingsia maculosus butterfly. Unlike most agaves, it can repeat flowering year after year (polycarpic).
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Agave |
| Growth Habit | Rhizomatous acaulescent perennial, herbaceous-succulent. Basal rosette 20–50 cm in diameter, slowly colonial. Polycarpic: flowers every year or every few years. |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern (LC). Although naturally restricted to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, it is frequent in its chaparral-scrubland habitat. Deforestation and urban development represent local threats. |
| pH Target | 6.0–7.5 |
| Type | Sandy-loam to sandy, well-drained; tolerates light clay |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Fleshy, succulent, linear to lanceolate, 10–50 cm long and 0.5–4 cm wide, erect-arching or occasionally prostrate. Silvery-green to dark green with irregularly distributed round purplish to reddish-brown spots. No marginal teeth or spines; smooth margin, sometimes slightly denticulate. Fleshy texture with adaxial channelling.
ecoTubular, fragrant (cinnamon-spice aroma), cream-white turning pink and then dark red over the 3–4 days of each flower's life. Arranged in a spike on a scape 60–180 cm tall. Flowering April to July. Pollinated by night moths (Sphingidae), hummingbirds and bees.
ecoPractically acaulescent above ground; underground it develops strong, branching rhizomes that enable colony formation and survival following disturbances or herbivory. The rhizomes constitute the main nutrient storage structure.
ecoRhizomatous-root system relatively deep compared to other agaves. Rhizomes can extend 1–2 m and produce new rosettes. Secondary fibrous roots are shallow and efficiently capture scarce rainfall.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Sandy-loam to sandy, well-drained; tolerates light clay
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
D
E
Every 2–3 years in pots. In the ground, divide when the colony exceeds 60 cm in diameter.
Apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) once in spring and optionally at the start of summer. Do not over-apply nitrogen to avoid losing rosette compactness.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
Very low. No marginal teeth or significant terminal spines; it is one of the safest agaves for gardens with children and animals. Sap may cause mild skin irritation in very sensitive individuals.
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Plant Health
Rhizome rot (Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp.)
Mealybugs (Pseudococcus spp.)
Agave snout weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus)
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"A. maculosa (= A. maculata) is taxonomically unusual for being polycarpic within a predominantly monocarpic genus, and for its rhizomatous habit that resembles the former genera Manfreda or Polianthes more than classic agaves. The molecular merger of Manfreda into Agave (2012) now places it within the genus, though morphologically it is very distinct. It is an obligate host plant of Stallingsia maculosus, a butterfly endemic to the south Texas chaparral whose survival depends on populations of this plant."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.