Beschorneria tubiflora (Kunth & C.D.Bouché) Kunth is one of the earliest described species in the genus Beschorneria — a plant known to science since the early 19th century but rarely cultivated and poorly represented in modern gardens. Native to central Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo), it is named for its distinctly tubular flowers — longer and narrower than those of Beschorneria yuccoides.
Taxonomy and nomenclature
Originally described as a Kunth & C.D.Bouché taxon, later transferred to Beschorneria by Kunth. Family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. The epithet tubiflora (Latin: “tube-flowered”) refers to the elongated tubular flower shape. POWO gives the native range as central Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo).
Morphological description
Desert to Jungle (UK) offers the species under the same description as Beschorneria wrightii: smaller than Beschorneria yuccoides, with thinner silver-grey leaves and a red flower spike bearing green to pale yellow tubular flowers. The tubular flower character is the diagnostic feature separating it from other species with more campanulate (bell-shaped) flowers.
Cultivation guide
| Hardiness | −3 to −5 °C / 23–27 °F (estimated; USDA zones 9a–9b) |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil | Well-drained |
| Availability | Very rare; specialist nurseries only |
No specific cultivation data is available. The central Mexican montane origin suggests moderate frost tolerance, probably in the range of −3 to −5 °C. Treat as broadly similar to Beschorneria yuccoides but with less proven cold tolerance.
References
POWO (2026). Beschorneria tubiflora (Kunth & C.D.Bouché) Kunth. Plants of the World Online, Kew.