Description of the family:
Monocarpic or perennial plants. Stems short or 0, sometimes trunk-like. Leaves large, borne in rosettes, often succulent, usually hard, leathery and spine-tipped. Inflorescence a large spike or panicle. Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic; perianth segments 6, united for most of their length. Stamens 6. Ovary inferior, 3-locular. Fruit a capsule. Seeds numerous, flattened, black.
Comment:
A number of species of this family are naturalised in Zimbabwe. However, the names of most these plants are not clear.
Worldwide:
13 genera and 210 species, tropical and warm zones, especially arid America.
Zimbabwe:
1 genus and 1 taxon.
- Furcraea Vent