Arkansas Agave
(Manfreda virginica)

Above: False aloe in the ASMSA garden

Left: False aloe in bloom. (Image from North Carolina Botanical Garden)

Plant Characteristics

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

False aloe prefers partially to non shaded areas, low moisture, and well drained soil. Additionally, false aloe needs to be spaces at least 16 inches from other species to grow adequately.

Growth Habit/Description:

Leaves are pointy and protrude in all directions from the base of the plant. In bloom, the flower stalk can reach up to 6 feet tall. White flowers bloom on the flower stalk. Additionally, leaves tend to have a thick, leathery feel to it and can grow up to twenty inches.

Bloom Season:

White to green-colored flowers bloom from May to October, spring and autumn, producing a tall flower stalk. Flowers are bell-shaped and crowded along the stalk. The pipe-like flowers bloom into a green-colored flower with a sweet clove-like scent and a triangular shape.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes. Leaves remain year-round.

https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Manfreda%20virginica.png

Distribution

Habitat: Found in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Preferred habitats include Prairies, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, and Savannas

Native to Arkansas? Yes

Native to Garland County? Yes

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes. Including the Yucca Moth and Giant-skipper Butterflies (ex. Megathymus yuccae)

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes. Tegeticula yuccasella (a species of moth) pollinate false aloe.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name: The origin of the Manfreda comes from the 14th century botanist Manfredus de Monte Imperial, and the virginica derives from the type of specimen the plant is. Therefore, once you combine the two names you get Manfreda virginica.

Related Plant Species: Yucca filamentosa (commonly known as Adam’s-needle) is distinguished by its wider and more spread-out flower stalk, and thrives in full sun as opposed to partial sun. Yucca louisianensis (commonly known as Louisiana yucca) is distinguished growing slightly taller, up to 9 feet, and blooming earlier, around March through May.

Use For Food/Medicine:

Cherokee used the Manfreda virginica to treat two different ailments such as treating worms and diarrhea.

References

Characteristics of the Manfreda Virginica -Available From-www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=275823&isprofile=0&letter=M#:~:text=Culture

Treatments from Manfreda Virginica -Available From-

https://mycherokeegarden.com/2021/06/14/false-aloe-manfreda-virginica/#:~:text=The%20Cherokee%20used%20this%20plant