Agave geminiflora

Accession Count: 137
Common Name: twin flower agave
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Family Name: Asparagaceae
Botanical Name: Agave geminiflora
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
A. geminiflora is a small, rounded agave with densely packed and symmetrical green leaves that grow up to two feet long and less than 1/2" wide (1, 2). Unlike other agaves, A. geminiflora leaves are unarmed and safe to touch (1,2,3). Often, the leaves will droop downwards creating a charming appearance (1, 2).Along the edges of the leaves, there are loose fibers. The species specific epithet, geminiflora, is derived from the pair of flowers at each bract along the spike. This species is also considered an evergreen, despite that it is sensitive to the cold(1). This plant blooms only one time after it is established, producing tall unbranched stalks, 8 to 12 feet tall, with twin bright yellow flowers (1, 2).
Compound: Aga gem
Geographic Origin: Mexico
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin: Desert
Natural History:
A. geminiflora is an Agave endemic to the Mexican state of Nayarit. It originates in a small area near Nayait, three to sixteen km north of Ocotillo, Mexico at altitudes of thousand to one-thousand and four-hundred meters(2). The plant is often found in grassy communities, which conceal the spiky leaves (this is where the name ‘shin dagger’ developed!). This agave is different from most due to the lack of spines on the edges of the leaves. Instead the plant has curling fibers on the leaf margins.
Cultivation Notes: This species thrives in sunlight and should not be kept in shade (1,3,4). This cold sensitive plant grows best under the protection of a overhanging patio. It is however, low maintenance plant that only requires moderate watering and is tolerant to a variety of soils (1, 2). The plants die after shooting up a 9 foot flower spike, much like a Yucca.


Ethnobotany: A. geminiflora was rarely used for eating due to its bitter taste, however Native Americans instead produced a soap called ‘amole’, ‘maguey’, and ‘amolillo’. A. schottii, a variant of A. geminiflora, has been recorded for uses such as stupefying fish and aiding in the hunting of fish by the Rio Mayo people of Mexico.Twin-flowered agave is commonly used for landscaping, usually placed around walk ways, entrances, and community areas. This unique agave can be placed closely to foot traffic because it is "unarmed", meaning it does not have thorns or spikes. Its pretty purple flowers also attract hummingbirds(1).


Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Fall
Color: Purple
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Toxic
Hardy: Semi-hardy
Water Use: Moderate Water Use

Citations:
  1. Starr, Greg. Starr Nursery. Personal Communication.
  2. llifle.com
  3. Cacti.com. (2017). Agave schottii - Cacti.com. [online] Available at: https://shop.cacti.com/landscape-succulents/agave-schottii/ [Accessed 15 Nov. 2017]. 
  4. Plant Information. (2017). Agave geminiflora, Twin-flowered Agave, Succulent, [Agave angustissima]. [online] Available at: https://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=71 [Accessed 16 Nov. 2017].
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Agave geminiflora