Scientific Name
Agave guadalajarana Trel.
Common Name(s)
Guadalajara Agave, locally known as Maguey Chato
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Origin
This species is native to Mexico (Guadalajara region in the state of Jalisco and the Ceboruco volcano area in Nayarit).
Description
Agave guadalajarana is a succulent plant that forms an attractive, usually solitary rosette of bluish-gray leaves marked with bud imprints. The rosette grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and up to 3 feet (90 cm) in diameter. Leaves have brown sharp marginal teeth and a long terminal spine. Flowers are tubular, up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long, light green with a flush of purple at the tips, and appear in clusters at the ends of short branches. The flower spike emerges in spring and grows up to 16.4 feet (5 m) tall. Unfortunately, the rosette dies after flowering.
The species is similar and often confused with Agave inaequidens.
Etymology
The specific epithet "guadalajarana" refers to the location in which the species was first discovered.
How to Grow and Care for Agave guadalajarana
Light: These plants require full sun to part shade. If you are growing Agaves indoors, choose a bright, sunny window with as much sun as possible. Agave plants love going outside from spring to fall.
Soil: Agaves will tolerate most soils as long as they have good drainage, but their preference is sandy or rocky soil.
Hardiness: Agave guadalajarana can withstand temperatures as low as 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Watering: Mature plants are very drought tolerant. From spring to fall, water thoroughly your Agave when the soil mix becomes dry. In winter, water sparingly about once a month. Plants in containers require more frequent watering than those in the ground.
Fertilizing: Give your Agaves a small amount of fertilizer in the spring during the first two years.
Repotting: When the pot becomes full of roots, it has become pot-bound. If you notice your Agave becoming pot-bound, repot it with new soil in a new pot that is just slightly larger than the old one.
Propagation: This species rarely produce offsets, and it must be started anew from seeds.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Agave.
Toxicity of Agave guadalajarana
Agave guadalajarana is not toxic to humans, but the sap of the leaves and inflorescence may be mildly poisonous to children and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Agave
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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