Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
durango delight, espadin
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Agave striata
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The espadin agave plant is pale-green in color and has leaves that are one to two feet long and a half inch wide. The leaves have a smooth margin and a sharp terminal spine. The leaves are slender, and form an upward rising rosette. The A. striata are winter evergreens and act as an accent life form (1). When in bloom they have a 10 foot stalk in the center, that is topped with unbranched flowers. After flowering this agave produces many offshoots or pups to establish small colonies (2).
Compound:
Aga str
Geographic Origin:
Mexico
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The espadin agave plant originated in Mexico at elevations of 1000 to 2000 feet (1). The Agave striata is vastly distributed, this plant can be found in Chihuahuan Desert Region mostly from central Coahuila and Nuevo Leon south into northern Zacatecas, southwestern Tamaulipas, much of San Luis Potosi, and into Hidalgo (3).
Cultivation Notes:
The A. striata is able to tolerate long, hot summers and has a moderate growth rate depending on supplemental water. Watch for potential problems of snout-weevils and infestation of scale insects. The snout-weevils will eventually kill the plant (1, 2).
Ethnobotany:
The A. striata is commonly applied in landscaping by humans. It is used as a barrier because it forms naturally dense clusters that are up to 10 feet across (1). It is ideal for rock gardens, succulent gardens and Mediterranean gardens (2). Though not ideal near foot paths for the sharp spines.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
- Starr, Greg. Starr Nursery. Personal Communication.
- gardenia.net. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- starr-nursery.com. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
