Massive xerophytes 2-7 m. tall, somewhat resem-bling an Aloe or a Yucca, acaulescent or with a short stout trunk less than 1 m. tall; leaves in a dense rosette, lance-ensiform, gradually acuminate to a sharp acumen, 1-3 m. long, 15-20 cm. broad, very heavily coriaceous, the margin beset with stout recurved thorns, green or somewhat glaucous, the upper surface rather closely lined with paler stripes; panicles very massive, bearing many greenish white flowers, or these replaced by bulbils; flowers very shortly pedicellate; ovary narrow-ly oblong-fusiform, about 1.5 cm. long; perianth seg-ments barely united at the base, ovate, acuminate, about 1.5-3.0 cm. long.
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