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Agave
bovicornuta
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Description:
Cow's Horn Agave is a medium size, non-offsetting plant that
grows to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide with a rosette of medium
to dark green leaves. Leaves are lance shaped, wider in the
middle, and tapering to the tip. They measure 2 - 2.5 feet
long and 6 - 8 inches wide at the widest point, narrowing to a
sharp terminal point. Leaf edges are clothed with highly
decorative, dark brown teeth that curve both away from and
back towards the center of the plant. There are two types of
teeth which make the leaf edges quite unusual. The 15 - 22
foot tall flower stalks are branched with 20 - 30 short side
branches. Flower stalks are adorned with bright yellow and
green flowers that measure about 2 inches long. As with all Agave
species, the flower stalk signals the end of that plants’
life cycle.
Habitat and Distribution: Agave bovicornuta is
native to open, rocky slopes in the oak woodland and pine-oak
forest in eastern and southern Sonora, southwestern Chihuahua,
and northern Sinaloa in the Sierra Madre Occidental between
3,000 and 6,000 feet elevation.
Culture: Agave bovicornuta should be used in
filtered sun or morning sun and afternoon shade. Plants are
hardy to the middle or low 20º’s F. If any leaf damage
occurs, specimens grow quickly in spring and damage is usually
covered by the end of the growing season. Although they are
moderately drought tolerant, they are somewhat opportunistic
and will grow more quickly with supplemental water in summer.
This Agave grows best in a soil with good drainage. Plants do
not offset, so they need to be replaced after they flower and
die.
ORNAMENTAL FEATURES: This is one of the
most decorative Agave species in cultivation. The broad
dark green leaf color and the decorative nature of the teeth
make this plant extremely attractive up close. The highly
ornamental nature of this plant makes it an ideal candidate
for use in entryways.
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| Agave bovicornuta in eastern Sonora, Mexico. | Leaf detail showing the cow's horn shaped teeth. |
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