Accession Count: 5
Common Name:
white striped century plant
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Agave americana
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
var. medio picta
Characteristics:
Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' is a solitary or slowly clumping evergreen succulent plant that grows to a height of 70-90 cm (27-35 inches) and 1.2 - 2 m (4-6 feet) wide (1, 3, 4). This is a smaller version of the straight species Agave americana (3). Leaves are short, and lanceolate in shape so that they are wider and thicker at the base and become more narrow and recurved at the tip which terminates in a long terminal spine (3, 4). This variegated species has a clear, bold, green-cream central stripe on the leaves and blue-green margins with sharp spines along the edges (1, 4). Flowers develop after more than a decade of growth, in summer and are yellow-green, and borne on an 5 m (15 foot) tall slender, straight, variegated stalk (1, 3, 4). The primary rosette dies after flowering though any offsets will continue to develop after the parent flowers (3).
Compound:
Geographic Origin:
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The genesis of this cultivar is undetermined.
Cultivation Notes:
This cultivar is suited for USDA hardiness zones 8a to 11b: from −12.2 °C (10 °F) to 10 °C (50 °F) (1, 4). It should be placed in full sun and watered occasionally in summer (4). Plant in full sun.
Ethnobotany:
This cultivar of agave is used as a striking landscape ornamental described as a living sculpture with very dramatic leaves, but it also has an irritating sap and sharp thorns that can injure small children and pets (2, 3). In the landscape, place it where it will have plenty of room away from traffic (4). If poked by the spine, painful swelling will be experienced and exposure to the caustic sap can result in skin irrigation (3, 4). If the leaves need to be trimmed it is advised to use a handsaw and not a chainsaw to limit the spray of leaf juice (4).
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
White
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
