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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Agave shawii (Coastal agave)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Agave shawii

Agave shawii Engelm.

Coastal Agave, Boundary Century Plant, Shaw's Century Plant

Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: AGSH

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The spiny trunks of this clumped plant may be 4-12 in. long and tend to creep along the ground, branching from the base. A rosette of succulent, 1-2 ft., glossy green, lance-shaped leaves subtends the 3-12 ft. flowering stem which appears after 8-20 years. The tubular flowers are greenish-yellow and occur in a dense, terminal panicle. Leaves bear red, hooked prickles and a terminal spine.

 

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Rosette of leaves up to about 2 feet tall. Flower scape up to about 12 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: S. CA & Baja CA
Native Habitat: Dry, coastal bluffs & slopes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.

Propagation

Description: Sow seed.
Seed Treatment: No treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1988 VOL. 5, NO.5 - Penny Campaign Grows Oklahoma Wildflowers, Wildflower Center Collects Honors, Di...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Agave shawii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Agave shawii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Agave shawii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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