This peculiar
agave occurs only in scrub and other dry habitats in six
central Florida counties. It is listed by Florida and the
USDI as an Endangered
Species. Scrub beargrass has leathery straplike
leaves up to 6' long that arise from the base in sweeping
arches. Established plants are mounds of handsome
foliage. In spring scrub beargrass sends up a 6' stalk
that branches into several showy spikes of white flowers.
Scrub beargrass does not die back after flowering. Like
many other Florida scrub plants and animals, scrub
beargrass is closely related to species that occur in
southwestern US and Mexico, attesting to a former
corridor of genetic interchange around the Gulf Coast.
Many of Florida's plant and animal species with
southwestern affinities migrated into Florida along the
Gulf Coast during the last ice age, 12,000 years ago,
when the sea level was 400' lower than present and the
Florida peninsula was twice as wide as it is today. Scrub
beargrass does very well in cultivation and makes a
handsome border plant. It requires full sun and well
drained soil. Scrub beargrass is available from several
central Florida nurseries.
This peculiar
agave occurs only in scrub and other dry habitats in six
central Florida counties. It is listed by Florida and the
USDI as an Endangered
Species. Scrub beargrass has leathery straplike
leaves up to 6' long that arise from the base in sweeping
arches. Established plants are mounds of handsome
foliage. In spring scrub beargrass sends up a 6' stalk
that branches into several showy spikes of white flowers.
Scrub beargrass does not die back after flowering. Like
many other Florida scrub plants and animals, scrub
beargrass is closely related to species that occur in
southwestern US and Mexico, attesting to a former
corridor of genetic interchange around the Gulf Coast.
Many of Florida's plant and animal species with
southwestern affinities migrated into Florida along the
Gulf Coast during the last ice age, 12,000 years ago,
when the sea level was 400' lower than present and the
Florida peninsula was twice as wide as it is today. Scrub
beargrass does very well in cultivation and makes a
handsome border plant. It requires full sun and well
drained soil. Scrub beargrass is available from several
central Florida nurseries. 
