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Utah agave

Scientific Name: Agave utahensis

Family: Agavaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Subshrub, Shrub, Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Utah Agave (Agave utahensis)

Agave utahensis, commonly known as Utah agave, is a succulent perennial native to the southwestern United States.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant has short, stout leaves that arise from a basal rosette.
  • The leaves are blue-green and have teeth on the edges with a very sharp point.
  • The leaves are lined with contrasting black teeth.
  • The leaves are sharp-spiked.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant has short, stout leaves that arise from a basal rosette.
  • The leaves are blue-green and have teeth on the edges with a very sharp point.
  • The leaves are lined with contrasting black teeth.
  • The leaves are sharp-spiked.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Agave utahensis Engelm.
  • Family: Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)
  • Common Name: Utah agave (also referred to as pygmy agave)
  • Synonyms: Kaibab Century Plant, Utah Century Plant
  • Subordinate Taxa:
    • Agave utahensis subsp. utahensis
    • Agave utahensis var. kaibabensis (McKelvey) Breitung (Kaibab Agave)
    • Agave utahensis var. eborispina

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the west and southwest USA.
  • Specifically found in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
  • Inhabits the Mojave Desert (California, Nevada), northern Arizona, and southwestern Utah.
  • Grows in central Utah.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Succulent perennial with short, stout, upright, blue-green leaves.
  • Leaves arise from a basal rosette.
  • Leaves are guarded with teeth on the edges.
  • Can reach up to 30-50 cm in height.
  • Forms a compact and symmetrical rosette.
  • One of the smallest of the Agave species.
  • The agave has a tall 15-foot stalk.
  • Silver-blue foliage.

Ecological Role

  • Plays a critical role as a keystone species in its native habitat.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Tolerant of drought and heat.
  • Cold hardy in zones 6 to 10.

Quirky Facts

  • The Utah agave has been called the Kaibab century plant.

Further Information

  • Monrovia plants details and information.
  • Dave's Garden community.
  • USGS Southwest Biological Science Center.
  • Brigham Young University Life Sciences.
  • Discover Life.
  • USDA Hardiness Zones.