Agave toumeyana

Accession Count: 3
Common Name: miniature century plant, Toumey agave, Espadin
Family Name: Asparagaceae
Botanical Name: Agave toumeyana
Synonyms:
Family Synonyms: Agavaceae
Sub Species:
Variety: bella
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The miniature century plant is an evergreen succulent that forms colonies of distinctive, dense rosettes. Each rosette stands up to 10 inches tall and includes 100 to 200 long narrow leaves of approximately equal height, giving a flat-topped appearance tipped with apical spines. At the same time, the dark-green leaves possess white margins that are decorated with curling white thread, resembling tight ringlets. From late spring to early summer, a slender but disproportionately large spike will form, bearing the pale yellow-green flowers on a stalk 4-8 feet in height. Capsule fruits will follow, and then the agave will die, as the miniature century plant is monocarpic and will perish after flowering. 
The bella variety differs from the straight species by its miniature form, being much smaller and more compact than the straight species. The inflorescence will also be smaller and more compact, and miniature century plants will possess a denser rosette with denticles in the lower half of the leaf.
As a result of its compact rosettes, A. toumeyana var. bella specimens also resemble A. parviflora, but are two distinct species. A. parviflora possesses stockier, more numerous rounded leaves with a thicker central core, and an even smaller growth habitat than A. toumeyana var. bella.
Compound: Aga tou bel
Geographic Origin: Mountain Southwest
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Agave toumeyana var. bella is a naturally occurring variant that is restricted to the Sierra Ancha Mountains in Central Arizona. It inhabits rocky hillsides, mesas, desert chaparral, pine forests, and juniper forests from 2,400 – 5,200 feet in elevation.
The variety was first named by August Johann Julius Breitung when it was published within Cactus and Succulent Journal 32(3): 81 (1960). 
Cultivation Notes:
The miniature century plant should be watered well in summer, but allowed to completely dry in between waterings. The white filaments on the leaf margins will uncurl when watered, and begin to curl once it is necessary to water again. In winter, however, only irrigate enough to prevent the leaves from shriveling.
A. toumeyana var. bella is tolerant of most soil varieties, including sandy, average, and infertile soil of average pH. However, ensure that substrate is well-draining to prevent root rot.
Full sun and partial shade are both tolerated, and A. toumeyana var. bella will even survive direct sun and high heat when cultivated outdoors. Additionally, the miniature century plant is more cold tolerant than the straight species, surviving temperatures down to 10°F if kept dry (USDA Hardiness Zones 8a to 10b).
Propagation is possible by seed and through offsets or suckers, which appear readily at the base of mature plants. Remove the suckers during spring or summer and allow to fully dry before planting in compost.
Ethnobotany:
Although no specific ethnobotanical uses are known for A. toumeyana var. bella, the variety is very popular in cultivation as a container plant, but can also become a striking centerpiece in xeric gardens. When flowering, numerous hummingbirds will be attracted by the spike inflorescence.

Height: 0 - 5 feet
Width: 0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate: Slow Growing
Grow Season: Spring
Flower Season: ForeSummer
Color: White
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.
5. Llifle Encyclopedia of Succulents Agave parviflora. Retrieved from http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Agavaceae/528/Agave_parviflora#:~:text=Description%3A%20Agave%20parviflora%20is%20one,produce%20offsets%20freely%20in%20cultivation.
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Agave toumeyana