In this day and age of taxonomic shuffling based on DNA evidence, more names are being created than “lumped”. An exception that has ramifications for agave enthusiasts is the combination of the genus Manfreda with Agave. The evidence seems to indicate that these are “nested” within the genus Agave and can be thought of as more herbaceous versions, often from wetter habitats. Nevertheless, some of the manfredas are quite xeric. This, in addition to having leaves beautifully ornamented with purple spots, has fueled hybridization efforts between the two genera (or subgenera if you wish) with the goal of incorporating the attractive leaf-spotting of Manfreda with features better represented in other groups of Agave, namely pronounced marginal teeth and bud imprinting. Among the notable hybrids produced from these efforts are those of Hans Hansen, now working with the innovative nursery Walter’s Gardens, in Michigan, which has patented a number of selections (which restricts vegetative propagation) including ‘Inkblot’. Hans has kindly shared this one with the Huntington for field testing in our landscape and distribution through ISI. It is a selection from a cross of Mangave ‘Bloodspot’ and M. ‘Chocolate Chips’ (a selection of M. undulata by Carl Schoenfeld of Yucca Do Nursery, though the placement of that name within Agave is uncertain), distinguished by its serrate margins and heavily spotted leaves on a gray-green background that blushes pinkish-red when stressed. The spots are of various sizes as if randomly splattered with ink. HBG 127504, plants from tissue culture. $15.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 90 (2), Summer 2018