SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 1003.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "1003" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

desert agave

Scientific Name: Agave deserti ssp. deserti

Family: Agavaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Subshrub, Shrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Agave deserti (Desert Agave)

Agave deserti, commonly known as Desert Agave, is a succulent plant native to the desert regions of southern California, Arizona, and Baja California. It is also referred to as Mescal, Century Plant, or Maguey.

Considerations for Pets

  • Agave deserti features rosettes of gray leaves that can grow up to 2 feet wide.
  • The leaves have a deep central gutter and, in some instances (referring to similar plants), leaf edges with stiff spines.

Considerations for Children

  • Agave deserti features rosettes of gray leaves that can grow up to 2 feet wide.
  • The leaves have a deep central gutter and, in some instances (referring to similar plants), leaf edges with stiff spines.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Order: Liliales
  • Family: Agavaceae
  • Genus: Agave
  • Species: Agave deserti
  • Subspecies: Agave deserti subsp. deserti
  • Synonyms: Mentions of Agave deserti Engelm.

Common Names

  • English: Desert Agave, Century Plant
  • Spanish: Mezcal, Maguey, Amole (note: names vary by region and use)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to desert regions in southern California, Arizona, and Baja California.
  • Specifically found in places like San Felipe Wash in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.
  • Grows in the desert grasslands of basins and wooded foothills of mountain ranges in the Southwest.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Succulent plant forming rosettes up to 2 feet wide.
  • Leaves are gray, 8-16 inches long and 2-3 inches wide, with a deep central gutter.
  • Once in its lifetime, it sends up a solitary stalk with sticky yellow flowers that attract bees.

Ecological Role

  • Reported to be the most desert-adapted of the agaves.

Traditional Uses

  • The desert agave was used for food and clothing by native peoples of Southern California.