- Manfreda maculosa
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Manfreda maculosa 
Scientific classification 
Kingdom: Plantae clade: Angiosperms clade: Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae Subfamily: Agavoideae Genus: Manfreda Species: M. maculosa Binomial name Manfreda maculosa
(Hook.) RoseManfreda maculosa, commonly known as the Texas Tuberose or Spice Lily, is a species of flowering plant related to agaves that is endemic to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.
Contents
Description
Texas Tuberose is acaulescent, meaning the stem is extremely short. The fleshy green leaves are covered with purple spots and often lay flat on the ground. In a drought, the leaves will wither and disappear, leaving little or nothing visible above ground. Sufficient precipitation yields an inflorescence 60 cm (24 in) tall in the period April-September. The new flower stalks (inflorescences) are fed on by small mammals, javelina, deer, and feral pigs, which can end the flowering effort for that season. The leaves are fed on by these as well, especially during droughts, weakening and killing the plants.
The flowers open and change colors over 3-4 days of life, from white to pink to dark red. The inferior ovaries turn from green to purple to black as they mature as seedpods.
Ecology
Texas Tuberose is the primary host plant for the caterpillars of the rare Manfreda Giant-Skipper or Aloe Skipper (Stallingsia maculosus (= Stallingsia smithi)). A reduction in the M. maculosa population could threaten the existence of the butterflies.[1]
Manfreda inflorescence, flowers with petals intact
References
- ^ Quinn, Mike (2008-12-05). "Manfreda Giant-Skipper Stallingsia maculosus (H. A. Freeman, 1955)". Texas Entomology. http://www.texasento.net/Stallingsia.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
- Lehman, R.L., O'Brien, R., and T. White. 2005. Plants of the Texas coastal bend. Texas A&M Univ. Press. 352 pp.
- Scott, J.A. 1986. The butterflies of North America: a natural history and field guide. Stanford Univ. Press. 583 pp.
External links
Media related to Manfreda maculosa at Wikimedia Commons 
Data related to Manfreda maculosa at WikispeciesCategories:- Agavoideae
- Flora of Northeastern Mexico
- Flora of Southwestern Texas
- Flora of the Chihuahuan Desert
- Garden plants of North America
- Drought-tolerant plants
- Butterfly food plants
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