Flora of North America species comparison

0.6–1 m. Leaf blade linear, plano-convex or plano-keeled, widest near middle, 40–65 × 0.3–0.7(–1.5) cm, rigid, margins entire, filiferous, white, apex spinose, spine acicular, 7 mm.

erect, paniculate, dense, arising completely within to mostly extending beyond rosettes, ovoid, 6–8.2 dm, glabrous, rarely slightly pubescent;

peduncle scapelike, to 0.8 m. Flowers pendent, 5–13 cm, nearly as wide;

perianth campanulate;

tepals connate basally to form shallow floral cup 7–12 mm, usually cream-colored, occasionally tinged with purple, 4.5–13 cm;

filaments connate proximally into collarlike structure, 3.2–12 mm, fleshy, pubescent;

anthers 5–7 mm;

pistil 4.5–8 × 0.7–1.2 cm (usually 4–5(–7) times longer than broad);

ovary 0.7–1.2 cm;

style 5–7 mm;

stigmas distinct.

paniculate, arising within or occasionally beyond rosettes, narrowly ellipsoid, 6–10 dm, distance from leaf tips to proximal inflorescence branches less than twice leaf length when fully expanded, glabrous;

branches to 13 cm;

bracts erect;

peduncle scapelike, 0.5–1 m, less than 2.5 cm diam.

pendent;

perianth globose;

tepals connate, dull green, sometimes tinged pink, 4.1–6.5 × 1.5–2.5 cm;

filaments shorter than pistil, flaccid;

anthers 3.2 mm;

pistil ovoid to obovoid, 2.5–3 × 0.5–0.9 cm;

style bright green;

stigmas lobed.

pendent, baccate, indehiscent, elongate, 5–23 × 4–7.5 cm, fleshy, succulent.

erect, capsular, dehiscent, symmetrical or rarely constricted, 4.5–5.5(–6.3) × 3–5 cm, dehiscence septicidal.

dull black, obovate, 7–11 mm diam., 3 mm thick, rugose.

glossy black, thin, 11–14 × 8–11 mm.