Agave eggersiana

Agave eggersiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
clade:	Angiosperms
clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Agavoideae
Genus:	Agave
Species:	A. eggersiana
Binomial name
Agave eggersiana Trel.

Agave eggersiana is an endangered species of spiky plant which grows in the Virgin Islands, in dry, exposed areas. Agave eggersiana is a perennial herb known only from the island of St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USFWS 1998a). It is known from a small number of wild and cultivated plants (USFWS 1998a). It is being cultivated at the St. George Village Botanical Garden in St. Croix U.S.V.I.(USFWS 1998a) and at Fairchild Botanical Garden in south Florida.

This species can grow up to seven meters in height and has large, yellow tubular flowers that produce flattened black seeds (USFWS 1998a). A small number of plants remain on private land and are threatened by tourist development (USFWS 1998b). The greatest threat is habitat destruction brought on by residential development on private land. Other threats include feral pigs and goats on National Park Service land (USFWS 1998b). Research needs include distribution and abundance, general biology and ecology (USFWS 1998a). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife requests that any interested parties (concerned government agencies, the scientific community and/or industry) submit data or suggestions concerning this species (USFWS 1998b).

References

• USFWS. 1998 November 17, 1998. News Release: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Determines two Virgin Island plants may warrant listing under Endangered Species Act. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article?id=17628587

• USFWS. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants, initiation of status review for Agave eggersiana and Solanum conocarpum: Initiation of status review and solicitation of new Information, published Jan. 20, 2010, information by Feb. 19, 2010
• http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-870.htm