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Agave bovicornuta

Accession Count: 3
Common Name: cow's horn agave
Family Name: Asparagaceae
Botanical Name: Agave bovicornuta
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: The cow's horn agave has leaves that can reach four feet long and it is considered a winter evergreen. It has relatively small teeth and can have red/purple tints in the tips of the leaves(1).
Compound: Aga bov
Geographic Origin: Sierra Madre, Mexico
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin: Mexico
Natural History:
The cow's horn agave is found on rocky and mountainous regions of the Sonoran Desert and the Chihuahua Desert. Typically growing at 3000-6000ft elevation. These plants can also be found in the northern Sierra Madre Occidental, but they tend to be far more sparse there. Today, cow’s horn, is commonly used as a landscape ornamental plant in succulent beds or in containers. Longevity varies but life span is typically 12-18 years depending on care.
Cultivation Notes: This agave is moderately drought-tolerant, however, they thrive better with intermittent watering during the hot seasons. This species grows best in soil with proper drainage and filtered shade. Other than having a little more shade and water, no extra maintenance is necessary. Ideal environments for the A. bovicornuta are mini-oasis and transition plans. During the spring it grows at a fast rate, and if there has been any frost damage is usually covered by the end of the growing season(1).

For seed production, plant mature (black) seeds which germinate quite easily and can be cultured in containers before transplanting outdoors. Plants perform better if transplanted into the landscape rather than kept in containers.  Some wild harvested seeds can be stored for up to a month.

Agave bovicornuta ‘Holstein’, a variegated version of the straight species —the plant has a distinct pattern on the leaves created by the imprint of adjacent leaves pressing during development. This cultivar is of similar size and width as the straight species
Ethnobotany:
This plant has been documented for many uses among the Río Mayo peoples in Chihuahua, Sonora, and Sinaloa in Mexico. The most common use comes from its flowers which are used to make tortillas. The flowers are typically washed to rid them of the bitter taste. The stems of the plant are also used to make mescal. The plant is poisonous to fish so that the plant is useful in catching fish. The Río Mayo people would crush up the leaves or pulverize them, rubbing the meat of the leaves on the fishing tool. The fish would become paralyzed and more accessible to the hunters. From there they could save time and energy by catching more than one at a time. While it's not typically an edible plant, it does attract hummingbirds.  It's primary use in modern times is a a very attractive landscape ornamental/accent plant (1).
Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season: Summer
Flower Season: Spring
Color: Yellow
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
1. Starr, Greg. Starr Nursery. Personal Communication.

Other Resources:
  • Gentry, Scott. “Subgenus Agave.” Agaves of Continental America, The University of Arizona Press, 1982, pp. 328–332.
  • “Cow's Horn Agave (Agave Bovicornuta) in the Agaves Database.” Cow's Horn Agave (Agave Bovicornuta) in the Agaves Database - Garden.org, Plant Database, 2015, garden.org/plants/view/116382/Cows-Horn-Agave-Agave-bovicornuta/. 
  • “Plant Details.” Cow Horn Agave (Agave Bovicornuta), Springs Preserve, 2013, www.springspreserve.org/apps/plant/detail.cfml?type=88&id=14668.
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Agave bovicornuta