Accession Count: 4
Common Name:
vizcaino desert agave
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Agave vizcainoensis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Agave vizcainoensis is a small to medium sized succulent forming a rosette of leaves that grows to be 30-50 cm (1-1.5 ft) tall and 50-90 cm (1.5-3 ft) wide (4). This plant has generally fewer than other agaves resulting in a more open rosette (4,5). The leaves are silvery blue, heavily toothed, and have a large terminal spine; the marginal spines are 5-10 mm long and the terminal spine is 2.5-4 cm long (1,3,4,5). At the end of the plant’s life, it will grow a flower stalk about 2.5 m ( 8 ft) tall with eight to fifteen lateral branches tipped with yellow-green inflorescent tubular flowers (4).
Compound:
Aga viz
Geographic Origin:
Baja California
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This plant is native to central Baja Californiaa in the Vizcaino Desert in the mountains of the Vizcaino Desert (1,2,3,4). A. vizcainoensis is very drought-tolerant and grows well in rocky, sandy soil making it a perfect plant to use for xeriscaping. (2,4).
Cultivation Notes:
This plant is most easily propagated by removing and replanting the adventitious shoots. It is also possible to grow from seed, but it is a less popular method. (3,5).
Ethnobotany:
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
