Accession Count: 0
Common Name:
butterfly agave
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Agave potatorum
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The butterfly agave is a medium-sized, evergreen, succulent plant that usually is solitary but can sometimes be clumping and produce offsets (1, 3). The plant grows up to 60 cm (15-24 inches) high and 90 cm (36 inches) across (1, 3). As a stemless succulent, it forms an open symmetrical rosette of 30-6- leaves that are each 30–50 cm (~10-16 inches) long and 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) wide (1, 3). Leaves are a light grey-green color with red margins, and short chestnut brown marginal spines on tubercle-like prominences spines (1, 2, 3). The leaves are sometimes cupped inward, and where they terminate in a 2 cm (~1 inch) long, slightly wavy spine, are often slightly reflexed back (1). Other times, leaves are more flat and the terminal spine radiates straight out away from the rosette (1). After 7-15 years of growth, a flower stem will develop in the fall or winter from the center of the rosette (3). The flower stem may grow up to 5 m (15 feet) tall and bear flower with buds subtended by green-red bracts that open to produce a pale yellow-green flower (1, 3). In colder climates, the plant will take a few more years before bolting. Further, while this agave species is monocarpic, and will die after it blooms, any offsets produced around the basal rosette will continue to grow after the death of the parent plant (3).
Compound:
Geographic Origin:
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The butterfly agave is native to a semi-arid tropical zone of southwest Mexico occurring within a very restricted area from Puebla to Veracruz and Oaxaca in 10 or less locations (1, 3). The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the 2019 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (3). It occupies volcanic and limestone soils within tropical dry forest and shrublands at lower elevations, and in temperate oak forests at higher elevations being distributed overall at elevations ranging from 1,300 - 2,400 m (4000-8000 feet). This agave was called "papalometl" by the Nahuatl Indians meaning "butterfly agave". The specific epithet of the species "potatorum" is derived from the Latin word 'potator' meaning "of the drinkers" referring to the use of this plant for alcohol production (1). The large-scale harvesting of this plant in the wild for production of mescal have resulted in subpopulations being completely eliminated (3).
Cultivation Notes:
The butterfly agave can be propagated from seed. Sow seeds on the soil surface and keep moist in an illuminated environment at light position at 15 - 20°C (60-70°F) (3). When the seed germinates after 1 - 3 months, transplant seedlings that are large enough to be handled, into individual pots of well-drained soil and grow them on in a sunny position until they are at least 10 cm (4 inches) tall before planting outside (3). Vegetative propagation from offsets, suckers and bulbils is also possible by simply removing and potting up these structures when they are available and transplanting outside in the spring (3). This species of agave is well adapted to cold temperatures as it natively grows at higher elevations, where it can experience frost (3). It is suited for USDA regions 9 to 11 with a winter hardiness threshold of 25-30°F (1, 2, 3). They prefer warm, dry surroundings, and 4-6 hours of direct sun exposure each day (2, 3).With less light, they develop leggy leaves with a paler green color and shorter spines (2). As the plant is succulent, it stores water in its leaves and trunks and requires very infrequent watering (2). Water in the summer every 1-2 weeks or when the soil is dry and in winter, you may water once a month or not at all depending on precipitation, wind or light (1, 2).
Ethnobotany:
With severe drought leaves will discolor and become somewhat shriveled while with overwatering, root rot and fungal infections may occur. Grow this plant is sandy soil that drains well (2). While the plant is adaptable to various soils, it will grow better in neutral to alkaline conditions such as those occurring in the wild on limestone soils (3). Fertilizer applied once a year in spring (2). It is tolerant to grazing by deer but, may be afflicted by numerous pests including soft-scale insects, agave snout weevils, and longhorn beetles (1, 3). Symptoms of these pests include withered leaves or brown spots, usually treated with a broad-spectrum insecticide (2). The plant and numerous cultivars produced are used as landscape ornamentals (3). The plant is also used for food and medicine. Flower buds and the tender young inflorescences are edible when cooked and the heart of the plant is fermented to produce mezcal (3). This is done by removing the leaves and roots from the central rosette core (called the “heart”), which is then baked, mashed and allowed to ferment before the liquid is distilled (3). Medicinally, the leaves are used as an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling (3).
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Winter
Color:
Green
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
