American Agave, Century-Plant

Agave americana L.

ah-GAHV-ee ah-mer-ah-KAIN-ah

Liliaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek for noble. The specific epithet is self-explanatory.

Natural range: Mexico. Desert

Recognition: A large coarse Agave with recurved spines along the leaf margins, the leaves in two forms on different individuals. One form is blue-toned with straight leaves. The other is green- and white-variegated with kinked and curled leaves. The variegated forms are varied, and are given such cultivar names as ‘Marginata’, ‘Mediopicta’, and ‘Striata’ (CHR).

Landscape uses: Specimen or accent in full sun and dry soil. This is a desert succulent. The plants die after flowering (perhaps 10 years under good conditions), with offsets forming at the base. Agave sap can burn the skin. After flowering this and most agaves produce bulbils (pups) among the dead flowers.