Chisos Agave (Agave havardiana)

   
 

Chisos Agave, Big Bend, Texas. Photographs courtesy of Ad Konings.

• Common English Names: Chisos Agave, Havard's Agave, Big Bend Century Plant
• Common Spanish Names:
• Scientific Name: Agave havardiana (a-GA-vee hah-vahd-dee-ANN-uh)
• Family: Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)
• Geographic Range: Mountains of central Trans-Pecos and Big Bend of Texas; Chihuahua and Coahuila, Mexico, 4,000 to 6,000 ft elevation.
• Plant Form: Perennial, 3' x 3', to 15' when blooming.
• Remarks: Rosette of broad fleshy gray-green leaves with toothed margins and stout spine tip. Upon maturity (20 to 40 years), thick candelabra-like flower stalk with large clusters of yellow flowers arises in summer and plant dies thereafter; good landscape accent requiring low water, full sun to light shade in well draining soil; hardy to 15 degrees.

Last Update: 20 Aug 2013