Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Furcraea selloa K. Koch

Synonyms

Furcraea selloa K. Koch 'Marginata'
Furcraea selloa K. Koch. var. marginata Trel.

Family

Agavaceae

Common Names

false agave, hemp, maguey, sword lily, variegated false agave, wild sisal

Origin

Native to Mexico, Central America and South America.

Naturalised Distribution

Occasionally naturalised in eastern Australia (i.e. in coastal south-eastern and central Queensland) and in south-western Western Australia.

Naturalised overseas in south-eastern USA (i.e. Florida).

Notes

Variegated false agave (Furcraea selloa) is regarded as an environmental weed in south-eastern Queensland and as a potential weed or "sleeper weed" in other parts of Australia. This garden escape is very similar to Mauritius hemp (Furcraea foetida), and causes the same problems in natural environments (i.e. it invades coastal sites and cliffs, gullies, hillsides, urban bushland and open woodlands where it crowds out native species). However, it is currently less widespread and common in natural areas in Australia.

Note: Cultivated and naturalised specimens in Australia have variegated leaves. This plant is simply called Furcraea selloa by state herbaria, however it often goes by the names Furcraea selloa var. marginata or Furcraea selloa 'Marginata' in the horticultural industry.