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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 univittata (Thorncrest century plant)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Agave univittata

Agave univittata Haw.

Thorncrest Century Plant, Maguey Mezortillo

Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)

Synonym(s): Agave heteracantha, Agave lophantha, Agave mckelveyana

USDA Symbol: agun2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

 

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Cactus/Succulent
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Dentate
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Truncate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Rosette of leaves up to about 2 feet tall. Flower scape up to about 15 feet tall.
Leaf: Light green to dark green.
Flower: Flower to 4 cm long. Stamens 6. Ovary elongate.
Fruit: Black.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Habitat: Agave univittata grows in dry, well drained, rocky soil. It is found in the Rio Grande Plains and has naturalized into central Texas.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Conditions Comments: Agaves bloom typically every 8 to 20 years. The plant produces a single flower stalk 10 feet tall during the spring or summer and then dies. Colonies are maintained by "pups" or offsets that grow from the base of parent plants. Agaves can be grown from seed or from transplanting offsets. Agave univittata has an attractive dark green rosette typically with a lighter green midstripe. Placement in the garden requires carefull consideration because of sharp spines along the leaf edges.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Clump Division

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Drought-tolerant shrub for privacy screen
November 23, 2007
Is there some kind of drought resistant bush or thorny plant we can rim our property with to stop all the foot traffic through our yard? We don't care if it's pretty, just something thick and/or th...
view the full question and answer

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-01
Research By: BJG, MWJ, JSC

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