The spelling of the epithet for this species is often confused. The first expectation upon hearing the name is that it is polyanthiflora, meaning many flowered. However, the plant is named not for an overabundance of flowers, but rather for their resemblance to those of Polianthes, a genus that formerly included a number of species with pink or reddish flowers. These days, most taxonomists accept the inclusion of the soft leaved Polianthes (like Manfreda) within Agave. The plants offered here, HBG 135877, are second generation seedlings from HBG 73795, U. Eggli and R. Nyffeler (2048A) collected at 1660 m elevation, among volcanic rocks, in pine-oak woodland, 7.7 mi (12.4 km) E of Yecora towards Maycoba, along MEX 016, Sonora, Mexico. $10.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 91 (2), Summer 2019