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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)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: 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: GreenBloom Time: Jun
Distribution
USA: TXNative 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: LowLight 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: yesInteresting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate
Propagation
Propagation Material: Clump DivisionMr. 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 PlantsFNA: Find Agave univittata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Agave univittata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-11-01Research By: BJG, MWJ, JSC