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Glite Dictionary
American agave

American agave

8.2
A large plant with thick leaves from the Americas that makes a tall flower stalk and blooms once before dying
  • noun
  • /əˈmɛrɪkən əˈɡɑːveɪ/
translation icon : agave americano
  • The American agave blooms just once in its lifetime, after which the plant dies.

Examples

  • Gardeners often admire the towering stalk of the American agave when it finally flowers.

  • The American agave is a striking addition to xeriscaped gardens due to its dramatic foliage and rare flower show.

  • The American agave is a stunning plant.

  • Many gardeners love the American agave for its beauty.

  • Gardeners often admire the towering stalk of the American agave when it finally flowers.

  • The American agave blooms just once in its lifetime, after which the plant dies.

  • The American agave is a striking addition to xeriscaped gardens due to its dramatic foliage and rare flower show.

Synonyms

agave
vsAmerican agave
  • US
1 7.6

A plant from warm parts of the Americas with large pointed leaves in a round shape and tall flower spikes

is one large species among these noted for a single long flowering event
Agave americana
vsAmerican agave
  • Specialized
9.2

A large spiky plant that blooms once after many years and then dies

is a large succulent native to the Americas that blooms once then dies
century plant
vsAmerican agave
  • US
8.4

A large plant with thick, sword-shaped leaves and a tall flower stalk

is the botanical species itself rather than a general ornamental name
American aloe
vsAmerican agave
  • US
7.8

A plant from the Americas with thick sword-shaped leaves and a tall flower spike often grown for decoration or fiber

is the particular monocarpic species that blooms once then dies

Surface Forms

American agave singular
American agaves plural

Morphology

American + agave

The phrase is a straightforward adjective–noun combination: 'American' specifies origin and 'agave' names the plant, so the meaning 'an agave from the Americas' is directly derivable from its parts. There is no idiomatic or metaphorical shift, and this compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common, making it readily understandable to a B1 learner who knows both words.

Etymology

American agave is a large plant with thick leaves that store water and a single, very tall flower stalk that appears after many years. When it finally flowers, the plant dies, so it is known for 'blooming once then dying'.