Agave nuusaviorum

Description

Abisai Garcia-Mendoza pulled Agave nuusaviorum out of Gentry’s broad concept of Agave potatorum based on its more lax rosettes, fewer number of greenish-yellow leaves that are lanceolate or deltoid, and the very short branches of the inflorescence with umbels of fewer flowers, the fertile portion in the upper third or sixth, larger bracts and coming from a higher elevation. The two species are very similar and can be difficult to separate until the flower. The species name is spelled correctly being derived from a local Oaxacan language referring to living where the clouds are.