XMangave (Agave X Manfreda)
The genus xMangave is a botanical curiosity...a bi-generic hybrid derived from a cross between an agave and a manfreda. Crosses between two genera are somewhat rare in cultivation and extremely rare in nature. However, agave and manfreda have broken all the rules and 'hooked up' on more than one occasion to produce the attractive offspring called x Mangave. The 'x' on the left side of Mangave tells you that it is a cross between different genera.
Although technically incorrect, sometimes 'Mangave' appears without the 'x', making it more convenient to sort alphabetically when searching for plants that start with the letter 'M'. At least two taxonomists (Eggli & Thiede) consider manfreda to actually be in genus agave, but we strongly disagree.
Like its Agave daddy, x Mangave are evergreen (above freezing) and like its Manfreda momma, it is polycarpic (doesn't die after flowering) and attracts hummingbirds. The agave parent contributes the evergreen nature and the form, while the manfreda parent contributes the purple spotted pigment. Both parents contribute drought-tolerance and an aversion to winter moisture.
As of the end of 2018, an astonishing 8 species of manfreda and 30 species of agaves have been used in creating the plants displayed in the gallery below. As of January 1, 2022, there are 92 named clones of x mangave.
Special thanks:
Hans Hansen of Walters Gardens, who is the world's leading breeder of mangaves, and the first to reproduce them via tissue culture...a breakthrough that has allowed more gardeners to share in these amazing bi-generic hybrids.