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Agave bracteosa
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Description:
Agave bracteosa is a medium size, clumping
species that grows to 2 feet tall and clumps out to 3 feet
across. The medium green leaves are unarmed both along the
edge and at the tip. They are upright and recurved above the
middle; measure up to 2 feet long and 2 inches wide near the
base and taper to the tip. This Agave offsets freely which
detracts from the beauty of individual specimens. However, the
pups can be removed and repotted or planted elsewhere. Keep a
few however, for the main plant dies when it sends up its
spectacular spike of white flowers.
Habitat and Distribution: Agave bracteosa is found
growing on sheer vertical cliffs of steep walled, limestone
canyons in northeastern Mexico. It occurs at elevations from
3,000-5,500 feet in the Sierra Madre Oriental.
Culture: Place Agave bracteosa in filtered sun, it
grows quite well under the shade of small trees like Eysenhardtia
or Leucaena retusa. The plant is hardy to at least 10
degrees F.
It is drought tolerant although they will respond to
supplemental water. Growth rate varies from slow to
moderate-slow depending on the amount of supplemental water.
As with other succulent or semi-succulent plants, Agave
bracteosa grows best in a soil with good drainage. Aside
from pulling the offsets very little maintenance is required.
Uses: Agave bracteosa has many uses.
It can be placed in a decorative pot and used as a
focal point on a patio. When planted in the ground, it can be
used in all zones of a xeriscape.
The plant does great when placed under the shade of
small trees like Acacia willardiana, Eysenhardtia
orthocarpa, or Leucaena retusa.
It will also grow just fine under larger, denser trees
like Acacia minuta, and Prosopis species. Agave
bracteosa fits in nicely with cactus, and other succulent
and semi-succulent plants. It would also look attractive when
planted near large boulders. I would not recommend mixing it
with shrubs that would obscure the Agave.
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