Kingdom Plantae Clade Monocots Family Asparagaceae Scientific name Manfreda maculosa Rank Species | Clade Angiosperms Order Asparagales Subfamily Agavoideae Higher classification Manfreda | |
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Similar Manfreda, Manfreda virginica, Agavoideae, Agave bracteosa, Manfreda scabra | ||
Manfreda 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.
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Description
The Texas tuberose is acaulescent, meaning the stem is extremely short. The fleshy silvery-green leaves are covered with purple spots and in low light situations may lay flat on the ground. In a drought, the leaves may wither, 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.