Agavoideae vs. Scilloideae

Differences:
The main difference between the 2 subfamilies is the origins and angle of dehiscence
Members of Agavoideae have a fruit which splits open at the very top of the tapering spheroid and gradually unseams in a downward direction, vertically parting/ folding. Owing to this is the fact that the flower originally takes on a moderate to wholly epigynous habit, with an elongated receptacle

On the other hand, members of Scilloideae have flowers with only a slight or almost absent epigynous habit, some being closer to a perigyne. As a result, dehiscence usually takes place from the middle of the spheroid and progresses in either direction allowing for labial or horizontal parting

Posted on March 4, 2021 01:16 PM by anthonywalton